Approval rates
The approval rate for Raymond J. Zadzilko is based on 1,342 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2019. This figure represents the judge's total activity on record during that period.
Judge Zadzilko 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 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Zadzilko 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 Zadzilko'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
Raymond J. Zadzilko decided 1,342 cases between 2016 and 2019. The approval rate was 80% in 2016, 83% in 2017, 78% in 2018, and 78% in 2019.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zadzilko'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 Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown hearing office is the most recent office on record for Raymond J. Zadzilko as of September 2019. This office maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Among the 3 judges who decided cases at the Johnstown hearing office in the most recent SSA file, the since-2016 approval rate range is 51% to 62%.
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
Raymond J. Zadzilko's 80% approval rate on record through 2019 is higher than the 51% to 62% range observed among the 3 judges who decided cases at this office in the most recent SSA file. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The approval rate for Raymond J. Zadzilko was 80% in 2016 and 78% in 2019. The rate fluctuated between 78% and 83% during this period. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the most important factors in your claim. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your case.
