Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's approval rate requires looking at the data in context. Scott R. Tirrell has a 58% approval rate across 3,148 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 48% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Island hearing office, this figure provides a baseline for understanding historical decision-making patterns.
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 Tirrell'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
The approval rate for Scott R. Tirrell has shown variation since 2016. After a period of relative stability, the data indicates a shift in recent years, with approval rates reaching 69% in 2024 and 2025. The latest period shows a 66% approval rate. These trends reflect the judge's management of a high volume of hearings over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tirrell'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 Long Island hearing office
Scott R. Tirrell's most recent office on record is the Long Island hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Island
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Island hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 48% to 83% since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Scott R. Tirrell has an approval rate of 58% since 2016. This falls within the 48% to 83% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Island hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated. While the rate was 58% in 2017, it saw a low of 38% in 2021 before rising to 69% in 2024 and 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal 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 ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
The 58% approval rate for Scott R. Tirrell is a historical statistic based on 3,148 decisions since 2016. It is not a prediction of your outcome, as every case depends on unique medical evidence and legal arguments. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific criteria required for approval.
