Approval rates
The approval rate for Francine L. Applewhite reflects a specific window of activity, providing a baseline for understanding how this judge has handled cases historically. We compare this figure against the broader bench at the NHC Falls Church, where judges range from 29% to 85% in their approval rates since 2016. This comparison helps contextualize the judge's individual record within the office's wider environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Applewhite. 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 Applewhite'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 Francine L. Applewhite has fluctuated across the 796 decisions on record since January 2016. The data shows an approval rate of 30% in 2016, 34% in 2017, 21% in 2018, and 42% in 2019. These shifts often stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the nature of the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Applewhite'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 NHC Falls Church hearing office
The NHC Falls Church serves claimants in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. This office maintains a diverse bench of 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the specific medical documentation supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Falls Church
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to focus on the strength of your own medical evidence.
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
Francine L. Applewhite has an approval rate of 29% based on 796 decisions on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 29% to 85% range observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Francine L. Applewhite has shown variation, starting at 30% in 2016, peaking at 34% in 2017, dipping to 21% in 2018, and reaching 42% in 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across all hearing offices. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you present your evidence clearly and effectively during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Francine L. Applewhite has an approval rate of 29% since 2016, every case is decided on its own merits and the strength of the evidence provided. An attorney can help you build a robust case that addresses the specific criteria required for approval.
