Who decides cases at this office
The 12 judges at this office show a wide spread in their allowance rates, which range from 29% to 88% among those with significant caseloads. This variation means that which judge you draw can meaningfully impact your outcome. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, making it essential to prepare a file that addresses the evidentiary standards of the entire panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Murdock | 82% | 6,970 | |
| 2 | Collin Delaney | 66% | 2,533 | |
| 3 | Elizabeth Ebner | 61% | 20,393 | |
| 4 | Larry Banks | 58% | 6,798 | |
| 5 | Rosanne M. Dummer | 57% | 25,500 | |
| 6 | JuanCarlos Hunt | 53% | 11,615 | |
| 7 | Susan G. Smith | 48% | 22,843 | |
| 8 | Gregory M. Hamel | 47% | 12,412 | |
| 9 | Thomas Auble | 46% | 15,388 | |
| 10 | Paul Greenberg | 45% | 9,651 | |
| 11 | John R. Allen | 44% | 6,665 | |
| 12 | Mary F. Withum | 42% | 3,225 | |
| 13 | Julia D. Gibbs | 41% | 4,936 | |
| 14 | Francine L. Applewhite | 28% | 7,630 |
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 but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Falls Church, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 10 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically 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
With a 10-month wait, you have a significant runway to strengthen your file before you face an ALJ. Start by gathering all medical records generated since your initial denial, as these are the most persuasive documents you can submit. You will likely spend time in the hearing room where a vocational expert will testify about whether jobs exist that accommodate your specific physical or mental limitations. Ensure your medication list, daily activity logs, and any witness statements are submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. A clear, well-documented file is your best defense against the uncertainty of the hearing process.
When a panel's allowance rates span nearly 60 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants wait months without taking action, but an experienced attorney uses this time to pressure-test your medical evidence against the vocational expert's likely testimony. This preparation helps ensure your case is ready for the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Falls Church, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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.