Approval rates
The approval rate for Stanley M. Schwartz is calculated from 1,677 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Dallas North OHO, where the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 24% to 88% in their individual approval rates. This variation highlights why thorough preparation of your medical evidence is essential for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Schwartz. 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 Schwartz'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, the approval rate for Stanley M. Schwartz has fluctuated. After starting at 41% in 2016, the rate reached 45% in 2017, 48% in 2018, 41% in 2019, 50% in 2020, and 45% in 2021. With 1,677 total decisions on record, the data shows a pattern that has remained relatively steady over the five-year window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schwartz'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 Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO serves you across the Texas region. This office has a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. If you are appearing at this office, be prepared for a review of your medical records and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Dallas North OHO, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 88%. Because you cannot choose your judge, your focus should remain on the strength of your medical documentation.
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
Stanley M. Schwartz has an approval rate of 45% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 24% to 88% observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
The approval rate for Stanley M. Schwartz has shown annual variance, moving from 41% in 2016 to 45% in 2021. This pattern suggests a stable approach to case adjudication over the recorded 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 assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational or medical experts. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the strict criteria for disability under Social Security Administration guidelines. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
The 45% approval rate for Stanley M. Schwartz is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your claim. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your file before you appear before the judge.
