Approval rates
Judge Annos has presided over 7,701 lifetime decisions, providing a significant data set to evaluate historical approval trends. While the lifetime rate is 50%, recent reporting shows a variance compared to the 44% office average and the 58% national average. These figures reflect historical decision-making patterns rather than the merits of your specific claim. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Annos'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
Throughout a 4-year tenure, Judge Annos has shown a fluctuating approval pattern. After starting with rates in the mid-40s, the data saw a peak of 56% in 2018 before returning to 46% in the most recent reporting period. This movement suggests that the approach to evidence and case mix has evolved over time. The recent trend reflects a return to the long-term average, indicating a consistent approach to the evidentiary standards required for disability benefits.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Annos'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.
Hearing with Judge Annos? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Charlottesville hearing office
The Charlottesville Hearing Office serves a broad population across Virginia, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a diverse bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an average approval rate of 44% in the latest reporting period. You should be prepared for a rigorous review of your medical records and vocational history. See the Charlottesville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. The Charlottesville bench is composed of 6 judges with lifetime approval rates ranging from 39% to 82%. Because assignment is essentially random, you should focus on the strength of your medical evidence regardless of which judge is assigned. You can find more information on the Charlottesville Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.