Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 75% approval rate for Carol A. Sax reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 37% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Boston. With 1,792 decisions on record, this data provides a look at past outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sax. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sax'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 Carol A. Sax shows a steady trend for much of the 2016 to 2021 period, with a shift in the final year of the record. Starting with a 79% approval rate in 2016, the figures remained consistent through 2019 before declining to 55% in 2021. This pattern across 1,792 decisions on record highlights how case outcomes can fluctuate over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sax'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 Boston hearing office
The Boston hearing office serves you if you are in Massachusetts and the surrounding region. As a hub for disability hearings, it maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Boston
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Boston, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 37% to 75%. This variance underscores the importance of being prepared for your specific 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
Carol A. Sax has an approval rate of 75% on record since 2016. This places her at the higher end of the range for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Boston, where approval rates vary from 37% to 75%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Carol A. Sax has seen variation over the years. While she maintained a steady rate near 79% for several years, the data shows a decline to 55% by 2021. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have a strong case prepared regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Carol A. Sax has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the evidence you present. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim.
