Approval rates
The approval rates for this judge are calculated based on 2,162 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2022. When evaluating these figures, compare them against the broader bench at the Long Island office, where lifetime approval rates for judges range from 48% to 83%. This range provides a baseline for understanding how individual judicial patterns fit within the local office environment. 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 Waldman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Waldman'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
Ronald L. Waldman's record shows a consistent approach to disability adjudication between 2016 and 2022. The yearly trend indicates that approval rates remained steady, fluctuating within a stable range throughout the observed window. While the volume of decisions varied by year, the overall pattern suggests a reliable consistency in how your case is evaluated. This stability provides a clear view of the judge's historical decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Waldman'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Long Island hearing office
The Long Island hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region, operating as a hub for SSDI hearings in New York. The office maintains a bench of 12 judges on record, ensuring that your case is processed through a structured, administrative framework. You can generally expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the Long Island Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates spanning from 48% to 83%. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is a standard part of your case preparation. The guidance for your hearing 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
Ronald L. Waldman's 83% lifetime approval rate sits at the high end of the 48% to 83% range observed among the 12 judges on record at the Long Island office. While this indicates a higher historical rate of approval, your case is unique and depends on the specific evidence you present. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
The data shows that Ronald L. Waldman's approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout the 2016 to 2022 record window. While there are minor year-to-year fluctuations, there is no evidence of a significant shift in his overall decision-making pattern. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing how these historical trends might relate to your specific medical and vocational profile.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a random, workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality across the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on building a strong, evidence-based case that can succeed regardless of the assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized to meet the requirements of the Social Security Act.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Ronald L. Waldman's 83% rate is part of his record, the outcome of your hearing will ultimately depend on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your disability under SSA rules. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.