Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. Richard Zack's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 27% to 57% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre. This docket of 1,771 decisions provides a clear view of past activity, though it is important to remember that every case is unique. 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 Zack. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Zack'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, Richard Zack has issued 1,771 decisions. The yearly approval trend shows a relatively steady pattern for several years, with rates fluctuating between 52% and 59% from 2016 through 2020. While the data shows a higher rate in 2022 and a lower rate in 2023, these later years represent a smaller volume of decisions. This pattern suggests that the judge's approach has remained consistent over the bulk of the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zack'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 Wilkes Barre hearing office
Richard Zack's most recent SSA record is at the Wilkes Barre hearing office, which serves you if you are in Pennsylvania. This office is home to 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 57%. Because assignment is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Richard Zack's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 27% to 57% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Richard Zack's approval rate has remained relatively steady across the 1,771 decisions on record since 2016. While yearly fluctuations exist, the overall pattern reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney who is familiar with the Wilkes Barre bench is a smart way to prepare for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your limitations. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
