Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 66% approval rate for Janice C. Volkman reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 42% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. This docket of 188 decisions provides a baseline for understanding past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Volkman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Volkman'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 66% approval rate for Janice C. Volkman is based on 188 decisions on record since 2016. During 2016, the approval rate remained consistent at 66%. Because this data window captures a specific period of activity, the pattern reflects the outcomes of those cases rather than a long-term shift.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Volkman'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 Philadelphia hearing office
Janice C. Volkman's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, with records through September 2016. This office serves you if you are in Pennsylvania and is part of a broader regional network of hearing locations. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Philadelphia hearing office, there are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 78%. While these figures vary, the process for presenting medical evidence and testimony remains consistent across the bench.
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
Janice C. Volkman has an approval rate of 66% on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 78% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Janice C. Volkman on record since 2016 is 66%. The data shows a steady pattern across the 188 decisions on record during this period. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your 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 work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Janice C. Volkman has a 66% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
