Approval rates
The approval rate for Randolph W. Alden is based on 1,677 decisions rendered since 2017. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically evaluated disability claims compared to the broader bench at the Nashville hearing office, where peers range from 47% to 75% approval. These statistics are derived from official Social Security Administration records.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Alden. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Alden'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
Randolph W. Alden's approval rate has shown variation since 2017, starting with 79% in 2018, followed by 42% in 2019, 50% in 2020, 48% in 2021, 50% in 2022, and 66% in 2023. This trend reflects the judge's historical decision-making volume across 1,677 total cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alden'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 Nashville hearing office
The Nashville hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, this office maintains a bench of 11 judges who have handled a significant volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the evaluation of your medical evidence and vocational factors.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, with an approval-rate range of 47% to 75% among them.
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
Randolph W. Alden has a 51% approval rate on record since 2017. This falls within the 47% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. After an initial 79% approval rate in 2018, the rate moved to 42% in 2019, 50% in 2020, 48% in 2021, 50% in 2022, and 66% in 2023. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among the judges at the Nashville hearing office. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney present can ensure your evidence is clearly organized and presented.
The 51% approval rate on record for Randolph W. Alden is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most critical factor in a successful decision. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to support your claim.
