Approval rates
The 68% approval rate for Peter V. Train reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which can be compared against the 17% to 86% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. These statistics rely on a substantial volume of 1,142 decisions to provide a clear picture of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Train. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Train'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 Peter V. Train showed variation across the 1,142 decisions on record since January 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 62% in 2016, 72% in 2017, and 69% in 2018. These fluctuations reflect shifts in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented in a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Train'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 Harrisburg hearing office
Peter V. Train's most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office. This office features a bench of 13 judges who have handled a wide variety of disability claims since 2016. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 86% on their since-2016 records. While these statistics provide context for the office, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific 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
Peter V. Train has an approval rate of 68% based on 1,142 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 17% to 86% range of approval rates seen among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing with this specific judge.
The approval rate for Peter V. Train was 62% in 2016, 72% in 2017, and 69% in 2018. These figures represent his activity on record since 2016 and show a relatively steady pattern of decision-making. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. While Peter V. Train has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
