Approval rates
The approval rate for a judge reflects historical decision-making patterns rather than a guarantee of future outcomes. At the New York hearing office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 36% to 81%. These figures, derived from 3,209 lifetime decisions on record since 2016, provide a statistical baseline for understanding the local environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Solomon. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Solomon'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
Since 2016, your approval rate for Mark Solomon has shown a varied trend, moving from 40% in 2016 to 34% in 2025. This pattern reflects a total of 3,209 lifetime decisions on record. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific mix of medical evidence and vocational factors presented in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Solomon'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for Social Security disability adjudications. The office maintains a diverse bench of 15 judges on record, ensuring that a wide range of cases are processed daily. You can expect a formal environment where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary driver of your hearing outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The New York hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 36% to 81%, the judge you are assigned can influence the procedural flow of your hearing.
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
Mark Solomon has a lifetime approval rate of 36%, which sits at the lower end of the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges on record at the New York hearing office. Because every case is unique, this comparison should be viewed as context rather than a predictor of your specific outcome. An attorney can help you build a case strategy tailored to the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Mark Solomon has shifted over the years, starting at 40% in 2016 and reaching 34% in 2025. These changes are based on a total of 3,209 lifetime decisions on record. Trends like these often reflect shifts in the types of cases heard or changes in evidentiary standards. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively in the current environment.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New York hearing office. This process is designed to ensure efficiency and fairness across the entire bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational expert or medical expert appear before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions Mark Solomon or other judges may ask during your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic and not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Mark Solomon has a lifetime rate of 36%, the most important factor in your case is the strength of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA requirements. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you step into the hearing room.