Approval rates
Judge Rawald maintains a lifetime approval rate of 39% across 1,333 decisions. When compared to the Baltimore Hearing Office average of 66%, this reflects a distinct pattern in how evidence is weighed. These figures are drawn from a significant docket, providing a stable look at historical trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rawald'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
Over a one-year tenure, your judge's approval rate has remained consistent at 39%. This stability suggests a steady approach to evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony. While the latest reporting period shows a variance compared to the broader office, the data indicates a continuation of this established pattern. Understanding this consistency helps you tailor your medical records to meet the evidentiary standards expected in this courtroom.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rawald'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.
Hearing with Judge Rawald? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore Hearing Office serves a large population across Maryland, managing a high volume of disability claims with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently reports an average approval rate of 66%, reflecting the local administrative environment. You can expect a formal process focused on the Code of Federal Regulations regarding disability eligibility. You can visit the Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Across the Baltimore Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges range from 39% to 81%. This variance highlights why focusing on the strength of your own medical documentation is vital. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.