Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their peers. The 28% approval rate for L. D. Pischek is based on 1,135 decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 28% to 81% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how past cases were resolved. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pischek. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pischek's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for L. D. Pischek shows a declining trend across the 1,135 decisions on record since 2016. Starting at 40% in 2016, the rate moved to 26% in 2017 and 19% in 2018. This pattern indicates a consistent shift in outcomes over the recorded window. Because case assignment is random, this trend reflects historical decision-making rather than a specific outcome for your current claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pischek's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Mobile hearing office
L. D. Pischek's most recent office on record is the Mobile hearing office, which serves you in Alabama. This office hosts 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in the decision. You can see the Mobile Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 28% to 81%. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes at the office provides helpful context for your hearing.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Judge Pischek's 28% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the lower end of the 28% to 81% range seen among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a decline from 40% in 2016 to 19% in 2018 across 1,135 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
The 28% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends on the unique medical evidence and documentation in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
