Approval rates
The approval rate for Mark Solomon is based on 3,209 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2025. Among the 5 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file, the approval-rate range is 41% to 81% on their records since 2016.
Judge Solomon is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Solomon isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
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, Mark Solomon has issued 3,209 decisions. The yearly approval rate was 40% in 2016, 46% in 2017, 42% in 2018, 39% in 2019, 35% in 2020, 29% in 2021, 27% in 2022, 32% in 2023, 31% in 2024, and 34% in 2025.
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.
About the New York hearing office
The New York hearing office is the most recent office on record for 15 judges, with the last decision recorded in September 2025. You can find more information on the New York hearing office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The 5 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 41% to 81% on their since-2016 records.
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 36% approval rate on record since 2016. This is below the 41% to 81% range observed among the 5 judges who decided cases at the New York office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Mark Solomon has varied over the years, starting at 40% in 2016 and reaching 34% by 2025. These fluctuations are part of the historical record of 3,209 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition impacts your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence and testimony for the hearing.
