Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. Ryan Vanda's 62% approval rate since December 2022 provides a stable baseline for understanding their decision history. In the latest reporting period, Ryan Vanda's 58% approval rate sits 1 point above the Providence office average of 57%. These figures are derived from a docket of 1,315 decisions. 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 Vanda'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 December 2022, Ryan Vanda has issued 1,315 decisions. The yearly trend shows 61% approval in 2023, 64% in 2024, 62% in 2025, and 59% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. This pattern indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Vanda'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 Providence hearing office
The Providence hearing office serves you and other claimants across Rhode Island and the surrounding region. As of July 2026, this office has 11 judges on record, maintaining an office-wide approval rate of 57% in the latest period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Providence
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Providence hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 32% to 75% on their 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
Ryan Vanda's approval rate of 62% since December 2022 is situated within the 32% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Providence. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Ryan Vanda's approval rate has moved from 61% in 2023 to 59% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. While these fluctuations occur, they are common in SSDI dockets. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
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 best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Working with an attorney can help you feel more prepared for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Ryan Vanda will rule on your specific case. The strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the most important factors. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation.
