Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Ronald L. Waldman compared to the range of other judges at the Long Island Hearing Office. These figures are based on the total volume of 2,162 decisions on record since 2016. These rates reflect past activity rather than a prediction for your upcoming hearing.
Judge Waldman is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Waldman isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
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 decided 2,162 cases between 2016 and 2022. The approval rate remained relatively steady throughout this period, with yearly figures ranging from 80% to 88%. The most recent data from 2022 reflects a single decision, following a consistent pattern of activity in previous years.
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.
About the Long Island hearing office
The Long Island Hearing Office serves you in New York and is part of the broader regional network. The office maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence you present. You can find more information on the Long Island Hearing Office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Island
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 7 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 48% to 77% on their since-2016 records. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
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% approval rate on record since 2016 sits above the 48% to 77% range of the 7 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how these differences might impact your case preparation.
The approval rate for Ronald L. Waldman has held relatively steady since 2016, with annual rates consistently between 80% and 88%. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your claim in light of this historical data.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your judge assignment.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence and vocational testimony remains the most important factor in your claim, and an attorney can help you organize these materials.
