Approval rates
When evaluating a judge's history, it is helpful to look at the broader context of their hearing office. The NHC Falls Church bench includes 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with individual approval rates ranging from 29% to 85%. By comparing a judge's performance against this office-wide range, you can better understand the variance in decision-making. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Auble. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Auble'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 January 2016, Thomas Auble has issued 1,859 decisions. His approval rate fluctuated over the years, starting at 46% in 2016 and reaching 53% in 2017 before trending to 40% in 2023. This pattern reflects the inherent variability in disability adjudication over time. The data indicates a shift from earlier averages, which may be influenced by changes in the types of cases heard or the specific evidence presented in those matters.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Auble'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 is the most recent office on record for Thomas Auble, with his last recorded decision there in September 2023. This office serves the region and maintains a bench of 33 judges. You should focus on building a robust medical record, as the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 33%. You can see the NHC Falls Church hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
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 the NHC Falls Church, and their approval rates vary significantly from 29% to 85%. While these figures provide a look at the office's history, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific claim. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Thomas Auble has an approval rate of 47% since 2016. This places him within the range of 29% to 85% observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Thomas Auble has fluctuated over the years. After starting at 46% in 2016, the rate reached 53% in 2017 and was 40% in 2023. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current evidence standards for your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
The 47% approval rate for Thomas Auble is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
