Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 68% approval rate for Leisha Self is based on 1,831 decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 32% to 79% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore. This comparison helps you understand how a judge's history aligns with their peers.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Self. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Self'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 Leisha Self has shown variation across the 1,831 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of fluctuation, the yearly trend shows a mix of higher and lower approval years, reflecting the complexity of the cases heard. Because the data window begins in 2016, you can observe these shifts over several years of activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Self'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 Baltimore hearing office
Leisha Self's most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, which serves the Maryland region. This office maintains a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus is on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 79% on their since-2016 records. While the specific judge matters, the fundamental 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
Leisha Self has an approval rate of 68% across 1,831 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 79% range of approval rates for the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Leisha Self has fluctuated over the years since 2016, with yearly rates ranging from 60% to 78% during active years. These shifts are common and often relate to changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards this judge looks for.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney by your side can help you navigate these questions and ensure your medical limitations are clearly explained.
