Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. While you see a 62% approval rate across 2,066 decisions since 2016, recent performance shows a 78% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure stands 23 points above the Bronx office average of 55%. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding the history of the bench, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than 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 Schiro'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 trend for Kimberly L. Schiro shows a shift over the data window starting in 2016. After maintaining a steady approval rate through the late 2010s, the data indicates an upward trend in recent years. While the rate averaged 62% over the full period, the latest reporting period shows a 78% approval rate, reflecting a continuation of the higher approval patterns observed since 2023.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schiro'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 Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 55%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical evidence provided in your file. You can see the Bronx Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 43% to 84% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Kimberly L. Schiro's 62% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend in approval rates. While the rate was 53% in 2016, it has risen in recent years, reaching 78% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine eligibility. You will typically be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA disability requirements. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before the judge.
