Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Sean P. Walsh based on his recorded decisions. We compare this figure against the range of other judges who have decided cases at the same office in SSA's latest file. These statistics are based on 124 decisions on record since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Walsh 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, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Walsh 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 Walsh'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 data for Sean P. Walsh covers 124 decisions on record from January 2016 through September 2016. During this period, the approval rate reached 84%. This figure represents the entirety of his available SSA data window. The record shows a consistent approval pattern throughout the 2016 fiscal year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walsh'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 Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office serves you and other claimants in New York and the surrounding region. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting the office's capacity to manage regional caseloads. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the evidence provided in your file. For more information, see the Bronx hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 6 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 43% to 62% on their since-2016 records. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Sean P. Walsh has an 84% approval rate on record through 2016. In comparison, the 6 judges who decided cases at the Bronx office in SSA's latest file range from 43% to 62% on their since-2016 records. An attorney can help you understand how these figures relate to your specific case.
The data for Sean P. Walsh is limited to the period between January 2016 and September 2016, during which he maintained an 84% approval rate. Because he is not in SSA's latest file, there is no recent data to compare against this 2016 record. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge's historical data.
No. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, and you cannot request a specific judge. The assignment process is designed to be random to ensure administrative efficiency. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file. You may be asked questions about your medical condition and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of a judge's past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the evidence and medical documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
