Approval rates
The 46% approval rate for Robert W. Young reflects 414 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical summary of past activity rather than a prediction for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Young. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Young'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
Robert W. Young decided 414 cases on record since 2016. His approval rate was 46% in 2016 and 43% in 2017. These figures reflect his historical decision-making during the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Young'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office has 24 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can review the Baltimore hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 79% 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
Robert W. Young has an approval rate of 46% based on 414 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 79% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Robert W. Young had an approval rate of 46% in 2016 and 43% in 2017, based on 414 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate reflects past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert W. Young has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
