Approval rates
Comparing Judge Stacchini's performance requires looking at consistent periods. While his lifetime approval rate sits at 60%, his latest-period approval rate of 62% provides a more current view of his decision-making. This latest figure is 14 percentage points lower than the Queens office average of 76%, while matching the New York state average of 62%. These figures are based on a substantial volume of cases, ensuring statistical confidence. 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 Stacchini'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
Judge Stacchini has maintained a consistent record since 2016. His approval rate has shown minor fluctuations over the years, ranging from a low of 51% in 2018 to a high of 65% in 2024. In the most recent reporting period, his 62% approval rate aligns closely with his long-term historical average. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence, with the latest period reflecting a continuation of his established decision-making trends.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stacchini'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 Queens hearing office
The Queens hearing office serves the New York region, managing a high volume of disability claims. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 76%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Queens hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
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. There are 11 judges on record at the Queens office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 49% to 85%. You can see the Queens hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
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
Judge Stacchini's latest-period approval rate of 62% is 14 percentage points lower than the Queens office average of 76%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
Judge Stacchini's approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with minor annual variations. While he reached a peak of 65% in 2024, his latest rate of 62% is consistent with his long-term performance. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific procedures of this office.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.