Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 57% approval rate for Miriam L. Shire reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches operate.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Shire. 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 Shire'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 trend for Miriam L. Shire across 1,767 decisions on record since 2016 shows a varied pattern. After an initial approval rate of 59% in 2016 and a peak of 66% in 2017, the rate shifted to 51% in 2018. Subsequent years remained relatively consistent, with rates of 54% in 2019, 56% in 2020, and 53% in 2021. This data reflects the judge's historical decision-making activity through September 2021.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shire'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 Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office serves you if you are in New York and is part of a region with a high volume of disability claims. With 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse caseload. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 84% on their since-2016 records. Because assignment is outside of your control, understanding the broader office environment is useful.
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
Miriam L. Shire has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 43% to 84% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Miriam L. Shire has fluctuated over time, starting at 59% in 2016 and reaching 53% by 2021. These variations are common in the data and reflect the judge's activity over the 1,767 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
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, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you organize your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is organized.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Miriam L. Shire has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
