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Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Walter, Nicholas

+3.3 pts vs national average

61.1%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge61.1%
SPECIAL REVIEW CADRE59.5%
National avg57.7%

Total decisions

208

Fully favorable

91

43.8%

Partially favorable

36

17.3%

Denials

81

38.9%

Total dispositions

329

Dismissals

121

36.8%

Awards

127

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.
Partial
Denied
Fully fav. 43.8%Partially fav. 17.3%Denied 38.9%

Approval rate history

FY2015
43.5%230 dec
FY2016
55.9%354 dec
FY2017
55.9%415 dec
FY2018
55.3%378 dec
FY2019
58.9%353 dec
FY2020
65.0%220 dec
FY2021
75.4%211 dec
FY2022
72.2%158 dec
FY2023
58.9%209 dec
FY2024
69.5%200 dec
Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at SPECIAL REVIEW CADRE (24)

Next step

Estimate approval odds

See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.