Approval rates
Judge Zadzilko maintains an 81% lifetime approval rate, which stands in contrast to the current 53% average at the Johnstown Hearing Office. When compared to the state average of 55% and the national average of 58%, this judge's record reflects a distinct pattern of decision-making. These figures are derived from 8,385 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
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
Over a 4-year tenure, Judge Zadzilko has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability claims. The yearly trend shows an approval rate of 81% in 2016, 87% in 2017, 77% in 2018, and 80% in 2019. This pattern suggests a stable judicial philosophy that remains well above regional and national benchmarks. The data reflects a continuation of this steady pattern rather than a significant shift in case outcomes.
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.
Hearing with Judge Zadzilko? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown Hearing Office serves you across Pennsylvania, managing a high volume of disability hearings. With an office-wide approval rate of 53%, it functions as a critical hub for regional SSDI adjudication. When you appear here, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Johnstown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. Within the Johnstown Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges range from 32% to 81%. This variance highlights why understanding the local bench is helpful for your preparation. You can view the full office roster on the Johnstown Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.