Approval rates
The 53% approval rate for Michelle L. Alexander covers all 976 decisions on record since January 2017. When viewed alongside the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville, this rate sits within a range of 47% to 75%. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Alexander. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Alexander'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 Michelle L. Alexander showed variation across the 976 decisions on record since January 2017. After an approval rate of 60% in 2017, the rate shifted to 46% in 2018 before moving to 56% in 2019. This fluctuation reflects the case mix and evidence quality present during those years, ending in September 2019.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alexander'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
Michelle L. Alexander's most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, with activity through September 2019. This office serves claimants across Tennessee as part of the regional network processing disability claims. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench handles a diverse range of cases.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 47% to 75%. Preparation remains consistent regardless of the specific judge assigned to your case.
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
Michelle L. Alexander has an approval rate of 53% across 976 decisions on record since 2017. This falls within the 47% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for Michelle L. Alexander was 60% in 2017, 46% in 2018, and 56% in 2019. These figures represent the 976 decisions on record during that window. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of a hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
