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Get Started TodayThis page shows the disability approval rate of every Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ) at the Springfield MA hearing office, using official SSA data for fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026. Use it to understand what to expect if your disability hearing has been assigned to one of these judges.
The highest approval rate at this office belongs to Joshua Pinkus (69.5%); the lowest belongs to Michael Hellman (43.7%).
Sorted from highest to lowest approval rate. “Difference” compares the judge to the 57.6% national average. Rates for judges with fewer than 50 decisions are marked as a small sample and should be read with caution.
| Judge | Fully Favorable | Partially Favorable | Denials | Decisions | Approval Rate | Difference | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Pinkus | 126 | 11 | 60 | 197 | 69.5% | +11.9 pts | |
| Edward T. Bauer | 190 | 15 | 106 | 311 | 65.9% | +8.3 pts | |
| Payam Danialzadeh | 186 | 11 | 122 | 319 | 61.8% | +4.1 pts | |
| Kim Griswold | 124 | 30 | 124 | 278 | 55.4% | -2.2 pts | |
| Michael Hellman | 59 | 7 | 85 | 151 | 43.7% | -13.9 pts |
Approval rate = (fully favorable + partially favorable decisions) ÷ total decisions. A fully favorable decision grants benefits from the date the claimant requested; a partially favorable decision grants benefits but with a later onset date or other limitation. Dismissals (for example, when a claimant withdraws or misses the hearing) are not decisions on the merits and are excluded from the rate.
A judge’s past approval rate is not a prediction for any individual case. Outcomes depend primarily on the medical evidence, the claimant’s work history, and how well the case is prepared and presented.
In fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026, administrative law judges at the Springfield MA hearing office approved 60.4% of the cases they decided (685 fully favorable and 74 partially favorable out of 1,256 decisions). The national average is 57.6%.
Joshua Pinkus had the highest approval rate at 69.5% across 197 decisions.
SSA lists 5 administrative law judges at the Springfield MA hearing office, 5 of whom issued decisions during the reporting period.
All figures come from the Social Security Administration's public ALJ Disposition Data report, reporting period ending August 28, 2026. Approval rate is calculated as fully favorable plus partially favorable decisions divided by total decisions; dismissals are excluded.
Source: Social Security Administration, ALJ Disposition Data, reporting period ending August 28, 2026 (report generated 09/22/2026). SSA updates this dataset monthly. Last updated on this site: October 13, 2026.
Do not feel as though you have to go through this process on your own. Find out if you qualify to receive benefits now.
About SSD EligibilityYour choice in advocacy could be instrumental to the success of your case. Don’t put your financial benefits at risk!
How We Can Help YouOur ultimate goal is to maximize your approval and minimize any complication. You pay no fees unless we win!
Get Started Today