Approval rates
Comparing Sharda Singh to the broader bench requires looking at the same timeframes. While the judge's lifetime approval rate sits at 53%, recent data shows a 60% approval rate, which is 5 points higher than the Bronx office's latest-period average of 55%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,527 lifetime 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 Singh'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
Sharda Singh's record, spanning 3,527 decisions since 2016, shows an upward trend in approval rates over the last decade. While early years saw rates in the mid-40% range, recent activity reflects a higher frequency of favorable outcomes. The latest period, with a 60% approval rate, represents a shift from the earlier baseline. This pattern may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Singh'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a hub for Social Security disability hearings in New York. The office maintains a bench of 16 judges on record, with a latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The Bronx office bench includes 16 judges on record since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. These judges vary significantly, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 43% to 84% across the office.
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
Sharda Singh's latest-period approval rate of 60% is 5 percentage points higher than the Bronx office's latest-period average of 55%. Because assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a rising trend. Starting at 45% in 2016, the approval rate has generally increased, reaching 60% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, a qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Sharda Singh has a 53% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.