Approval rates
Judge Ryan maintains a lifetime approval rate of 60%, a figure derived from a substantial docket of 3,339 lifetime decisions. When compared to the most recent reporting period, his performance shows a 4-point lead over the Syracuse Hearing Office average and sits 2 points above the national average of 58%. These statistics provide a broad view of historical trends within his courtroom. 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 Ryan'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 his 2 years on the bench, your judge has demonstrated a shift in approval trends. His approval rate moved from 64% in 2016 to 54% in 2017. This variation highlights the importance of understanding how case mix and evolving medical evidence impact outcomes. The recent period reflects a shift from his earlier tenure, suggesting that the judge's approach to evidence may be recalibrating as his docket matures.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ryan'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 Ryan? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Check My BenefitsAbout the Syracuse hearing office
The Syracuse Hearing Office serves a broad population across New York, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an environment where caseloads are managed through standardized federal procedures. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Syracuse Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Syracuse Hearing Office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The bench at this office is diverse, with lifetime approval rates for the 6 ALJs ranging from 43% to 60%. Because your assigned judge is determined by administrative processes rather than case type, understanding the office-wide environment is essential. You can find more information on the Syracuse Hearing Office page.
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.