Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period. The 58% approval rate for Sherman D. Schwartzberg reflects all 3,208 decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 41% to 88% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office. This data provides a clear view of historical trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Schwartzberg. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Schwartzberg'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 Sherman D. Schwartzberg has varied across 3,208 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2019, the approval rate reached 64% in 2020 before shifting to 59% in 2021 and 60% in 2022. These yearly fluctuations are common within a judge's docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schwartzberg'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 Kingsport hearing office
Sherman D. Schwartzberg's most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office, which serves the surrounding region in Tennessee. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where your evidence quality and medical documentation remain the primary factors in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 88% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the bench as a whole helps you prepare for your hearing regardless of your specific assignment.
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
Sherman D. Schwartzberg has an approval rate of 58% since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 88% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Sherman D. Schwartzberg has fluctuated over time, starting at 57% in 2016 and reaching 64% in 2020 before trending toward 60% in 2022. These shifts are common in long-term data. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
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 prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Sherman D. Schwartzberg has a 58% approval rate since 2016, your case's success depends on the medical evidence and how well you meet the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your evidence.
