Approval rates
Raymond J. Zadzilko has an 80% lifetime approval rate across 1,342 decisions. This places him at the top of the 32% to 80% approval range seen among the 8 judges on record at the Johnstown hearing office. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Zadzilko. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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's approval rate has remained consistent throughout his recorded tenure, starting at 80% in 2016 and holding at 78% in 2019. This stability across 1,342 decisions indicates a predictable approach to evaluating disability claims. You can use this historical consistency to better understand the environment of your hearing.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown hearing office manages SSDI applications for claimants throughout the region. With 8 judges on record, the office serves as a central hub for disability hearings in Pennsylvania. You can visit the Johnstown hearing office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure workload balance. There are 8 judges on record at the Johnstown office, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 32% to 80%. Understanding the office-wide range helps you calibrate your expectations for your hearing, regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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% lifetime approval rate is at the high end of the 32% to 80% range observed among the 8 judges on record at the Johnstown office. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
His approval rate has remained steady, with 80% in 2016 and 78% in 2019. This consistency across 1,342 decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your evidence aligns with this pattern, an attorney can help you review your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the Johnstown office. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who presides over your hearing.
An 80% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your specific medical evidence and vocational profile are the primary factors in your hearing. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively for this judge's review.