Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at the same data window. Lori Romeo's 55% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. With over 2,000 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past outcomes. 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 Romeo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Romeo'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
Since 2016, Lori Romeo's approval rate has fluctuated, showing a peak of 67% in 2017 followed by a period of decline and subsequent stabilization. The data shows a 55% approval rate over 2,148 total decisions, with the most recent full-year data from 2024 showing a 55% rate. The lower figure recorded in 2025 reflects a partial year of data. These shifts often correlate with changes in case complexity or the specific evidence you present in a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Romeo'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it remains a high-volume site for disability determinations. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 58%, providing a baseline for the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81%. Five of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026. For your preparation, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Lori Romeo's 55% approval rate is positioned within the 36% to 81% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. While this places your judge in the middle of the local bench, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with this judge's history.
Yes, the rate has varied over time. It reached a high of 67% in 2017 and has seen fluctuations in the years since, including a 44% rate in 2021 and a 55% rate in 2024. These trends are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, your best strategy is to prepare a strong, evidence-based case with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Lori Romeo will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
