Approval rates
The 39% approval rate for M. J. Adams reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 21% to 93% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office. This docket size provides a foundation for understanding past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Adams. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Adams'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
The approval rate for M. J. Adams has fluctuated over the 1,854 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 40% in 2016, the rate saw a low of 33% in 2018 before reaching 48% in 2022. These yearly variations are common and often depend on the specific medical evidence and case mix presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Adams'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.
About the Seattle hearing office
M. J. Adams' most recent SSA record (September 2022) is at the Seattle hearing office, which serves the Washington region. This office is supported by a bench of 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where medical documentation is the primary evidence for your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 93% on their since-2016 records. Because every judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant factor.
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
M. J. Adams has a 39% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 93% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office.
The approval rate for M. J. Adams has varied over the 1,854 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was 40% in 2016, it reached 48% in 2022. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might affect your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding. You will likely answer questions from the judge and potentially a vocational expert about your work history and medical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 39% approval rate for M. J. Adams is based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to strengthen your claim.
