Approval rates
The approval rate for L. D. Pischek is based on 1,135 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. This figure sits within the range of 28% to 81% observed across the 18 judges on record at the Mobile hearing office. Comparing these lifetime records provides a baseline for understanding how different judges have historically evaluated disability claims.
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 record for L. D. Pischek shows a downward trend over the observed data window. Starting at 40% in 2016, the rate shifted to 26% in 2017 and reached 19% by 2018. This pattern reflects the judge's total volume of 1,135 decisions during this period.
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
The Mobile hearing office serves claimants throughout Alabama and the surrounding region. The office maintains a bench of 18 judges on record, reflecting a diverse range of decision-making patterns. You can visit the Mobile Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 81% on a lifetime basis.
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
L. D. Pischek has a lifetime approval rate of 28% based on 1,135 decisions. This sits at the lower end of the 28% to 81% range seen among the 18 judges on record at the Mobile office. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a decline in approval rates from 40% in 2016 to 19% in 2018. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases via a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's historical approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a disability determination. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.