Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to peers requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, from 28% to 89% on their records since 2016. By examining these figures alongside the 615 decisions on record for Sharon Seeley, you can better understand the statistical landscape of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Seeley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Seeley'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
Sharon Seeley's approval rate on record since 2016 shows a fluctuating trend across 615 total decisions. The approval rate was 41% in 2016, 48% in 2017, and 41% in 2018. These fluctuations reflect variations in the specific evidence or case mix presented during different years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Seeley'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 Buffalo hearing office
Sharon Seeley's most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office, which serves claimants across the region. This office is part of a larger network of hearing locations where 18 judges have their most recent records. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Buffalo
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 89% on their records since 2016. While the specific judge matters, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent.
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
Sharon Seeley's 43% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 28% to 89% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Sharon Seeley has fluctuated, moving from 41% in 2016 to 48% in 2017, and back to 41% in 2018 across 615 total decisions. These shifts are common in SSDI hearings, and an attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions the judge may ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide, and an attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
