Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for individual judges ranging from 43% to 84%. This wide spread means that which judge you draw can influence your case, as each weighs evidence differently. Because assignments are random, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of the specific judge presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean P. Walsh | 84% | 124 | |
| 2 | Zachary S. Weiss | 70% | 1,496 | |
| 3 | Alexander G. Levine | 67% | 1,761 | |
| 4 | Selwyn S. Walters | 67% | 2,114 | |
| 5 | Lynn Neugebauer | 65% | 1,142 | |
| 6 | Brian G. Kanner | 64% | 2,435 | |
| 7 | Kimberly L. Schiro | 62% | 2,066 | |
| 8 | Miriam L. Shire | 57% | 1,767 | |
| 9 | Kimberly D. Schulz | 57% | 718 | |
| 10 | Raymond Prybylski | 54% | 2,736 | |
| 11 | Sharda Singh | 53% | 3,527 | |
| 12 | Benjamin Green | 52% | 133 | |
| 13 | Jeffrey Gardner | 45% | 221 | |
| 14 | Elias Feuer | 44% | 1,955 | |
| 15 | John Carlton | 43% | 2,354 | |
| 16 | Angela Banks | 43% | 2,338 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location, and their most recent office on record has no hearing-office page on this site. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Bronx, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8.5 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
Your hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will evaluate your claim. You should bring updated medical records, a list of current medications with side effects, and a daily-activity log to demonstrate how your condition limits your ability to work. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, during which a vocational expert often testifies regarding available jobs. Because the Bronx office has a wide spread in judge approval rates, your preparation must be thorough. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. You can use your 8.5-month wait to build a case that is ready for any judge by ensuring your medical records directly address the criteria for SSDI eligibility and anticipating the vocational expert's questions.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Bronx, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at the Bronx office is 8.5 months. This is slightly longer than the national average of 8.2 months, providing you with additional time to work with an attorney to strengthen your medical evidence.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. Because outcomes vary widely across the panel, it is essential to prepare your case based on the strength of your medical documentation rather than relying on a specific judge's history. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, an experienced attorney can help you identify potential issues in your file that might concern a judge with a lower approval rate and address them before the hearing.
While you are not required to have a lawyer, an attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the Social Security hearing process and prepare you for testimony to ensure your case is presented effectively.
