Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 57% approval rate for Rebecca Adams reflects her entire record since 2016, which we compare against the 35% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. This docket of 3,098 decisions provides a view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 26, 2025. 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 trend for Rebecca Adams has shifted since 2016. After starting with higher approval rates in 2017 and 2018, the data shows a decline followed by a period of relative stability between 2020 and 2024, where rates hovered between 35% and 46%. The most recent data from 2025 shows an uptick to 54%. This pattern reflects the complexity of the cases heard and the evolution of evidence standards over the last several years.
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 Fayetteville NC hearing office
Rebecca Adams's most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC, with activity through September 2025. This office serves claimants in North Carolina and operates as part of the broader SSA hearing network. With a bench of 7 judges, the office handles a diverse range of claims requiring thorough medical documentation. You can see the Fayetteville NC Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC, and their approval rates range from 35% to 78%. While this variance exists, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent. You can find the full roster of judges on the Fayetteville NC hearing office page.
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
Rebecca Adams has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 35% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local patterns.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated. After higher approval rates in 2017 and 2018, the figures trended downward before stabilizing in the mid-40% range between 2020 and 2024. The 2025 data shows a recent increase to 54%. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, it is best to focus on building a strong case with an attorney.
The 57% approval rate is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate how your impairment prevents work. An attorney can help you organize this evidence to meet the judge's expectations.
