Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The judge's 64% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a long-term view of their decision-making, which can be measured against the 21% to 87% range observed among other judges at the Ft Lauderdale office during the same period. These figures are derived from thousands of cases, offering a look at local trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Anderson. 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 Anderson'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
Since 2016, the judge has issued 2,189 decisions. The yearly trend shows a period of higher approval rates in 2017, followed by a gradual decline. By 2022, the annual approval rate reached 47% over 138 decisions. This shift in the later years of the data window reflects a departure from earlier, higher approval levels.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Anderson'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 Ft Lauderdale hearing office
Thurman Anderson's most recent SSA record (September 2022) is at the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 19 judges. You can see the Ft Lauderdale Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 87% on their since-2016 records.
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
Judge Anderson has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 21% to 87% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has shown a downward trend over the record window. While the rate was 65% in 2016 and peaked at 77% in 2017, it declined to 47% by 2022. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy in light of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, making the assignment process random. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Judge Anderson's 64% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence to strengthen your claim.
