Approval rates
The approval rate for Daniel J. Stein is based on 1,351 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Greensboro hearing office, where the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of 50% to 89% in their since-2016 records. This range provides context for how different adjudicators have historically approached similar disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Stein. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Stein'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 January 2016, Daniel J. Stein has issued 1,351 decisions on record. His yearly approval trend shows fluctuation, starting at 71% in 2016, peaking at 82% in 2017, and settling at 73% and 76% in 2018 and 2019 respectively. This pattern indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation over the observed window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stein'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 Greensboro hearing office
Daniel J. Stein's most recent office on record is the Greensboro hearing office, which serves you in North Carolina. This office features a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro
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 Greensboro hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 50% to 89%.
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
Daniel J. Stein has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 50% to 89% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Greensboro hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
His approval rate has remained steady across the 1,351 decisions on record since 2016. While yearly figures fluctuated between 71% and 82%, the overall pattern shows a consistent approach to disability claims. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case for a successful hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily activities, work history, and the limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Daniel J. Stein will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
