Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While the 79% approval rate reflects the entire record since 2016, the broader bench at the New York office shows a range of outcomes from 36% to 81% over the same period. These figures are derived from 2,032 total decisions. 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 Vecchio. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Vecchio'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 2016, the approval pattern has shown fluctuations. After an initial 75% approval rate in 2016, the figures reached 87% in 2017 before trending to 61% in 2021. Recent data shows a recovery, with the 2025 approval rate reaching 84% across 143 decisions. This latest period reflects a shift in approval trends compared to the mid-record dip.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Vecchio'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office is the most recent office on record for 15 judges as of September 2025. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 58%, which provides context for the local environment. You can expect a formal process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and they exhibit a wide range of approval rates from 36% to 81%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Judge Vecchio's 79% approval rate since 2016 is at the higher end of the range for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, who collectively range from 36% to 81%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. It moved from 75% in 2016 to a peak of 87% in 2017, followed by a decline to 61% in 2021, and has since risen to 84% in 2025. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific 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. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical and vocational evidence. You may be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you are likely to face.
The 79% approval rate on record for Judge Vecchio is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
