Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Paul R. Armstrong compared to the range of other judges at NHC Chicago. These figures are based on the 2,869 decisions on record for this judge since 2016. Because the bench includes 19 judges with varying records, this data provides a statistical baseline for the office.
Judge Armstrong is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Armstrong isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Armstrong'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 Paul R. Armstrong shifted over the years on record from 2016 through 2021. Starting at 24% in 2016, the rate reached 41% in 2020 before settling at 40% in 2021. This pattern is based on a total of 2,869 decisions across the period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Armstrong'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 Chicago hearing office
NHC Chicago serves claimants across the region, with Paul R. Armstrong's most recent record there dating to September 2021. The office maintains a bench of 19 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can find the full ALJ roster on the NHC Chicago Hearing Office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago, approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 63% on their records since 2016.
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
Paul R. Armstrong's 30% approval rate falls within the 26% to 63% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate for Paul R. Armstrong shifted from 24% in 2016 to 40% in 2021. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your current claim.
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 any judge assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 30% approval rate for Paul R. Armstrong is a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational factors in your file. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
