Approval rates
The approval rate for Selwyn S. Walters is based on 2,114 decisions on record since January 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. These numbers reflect historical patterns rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Walters. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Walters'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 January 2016, the approval rate for Selwyn S. Walters has varied, starting at 75% and fluctuating through a low of 53% in 2021 before reaching 67% in 2024. With 2,114 total decisions on record, the data shows a non-linear trend over the last eight years. The 2024 data indicates a return to the long-term average, showing that the decision-making pattern remains consistent with historical performance.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walters'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
Selwyn S. Walters's most recent office on record is the Bronx. This office maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can view the Bronx hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 43% to 84% on their since-2016 records.
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
Selwyn S. Walters has an approval rate of 67% based on 2,114 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 43% to 84% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Selwyn S. Walters has fluctuated over time, ranging from a high of 79% in 2020 to a low of 53% in 2021. With 2,114 decisions on record, the pattern shows that annual approval rates vary. An attorney can help you understand how these historical trends might relate to your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You will likely be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Selwyn S. Walters has approved 67% of cases since 2016, your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.
