Approval rates
Judge Schwartzberg’s 58% lifetime approval rate provides a baseline for understanding their decision history. When compared to the Kingsport hearing office latest rate of 56%, this judge currently trends slightly higher. These statistics are derived from a docket of 20,939 decisions. 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 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
Over a 7-year tenure, Judge Schwartzberg has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability claims. The yearly trend shows an approval rate of 54% in 2016, 55% in 2017, 56% in 2018, 57% in 2019, 64% in 2020, 59% in 2021, and 60% in 2022. This pattern reflects a steady application of Social Security Administration guidelines.
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.
Hearing with Judge Schwartzberg? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Kingsport hearing office
The Kingsport Hearing Office serves a significant population across Tennessee, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an environment where case evidence remains the primary driver of outcomes. You can visit the Kingsport Hearing Office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the Kingsport office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges range from 45% to 77%. This variance highlights that the specific judge you draw can influence the procedural flow of your hearing.
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.