Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, compare figures that cover the same timeframe. The 64% approval rate for John C. Arkoosh is based on 634 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 70% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Arkoosh. 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 Arkoosh'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 John C. Arkoosh has remained relatively steady across the 634 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 62% in 2016, the rate was 69% in 2017, 61% in 2018, and 61% in 2019. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the period for which data is available.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Arkoosh'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 Billings hearing office
The most recent office on record for John C. Arkoosh is the Billings hearing office, with records through September 2019. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, you can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Billings
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 70% 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
John C. Arkoosh has a 64% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 70% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The rate has remained steady. After starting at 62% in 2016, it reached 69% in 2017 and stabilized at 61% in 2018 and 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case 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 your case regardless of who is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
Approval rates are based on past decisions and are not a prediction of your outcome. Your case success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
