Approval rates
The approval rate for L. R. BaileySmith is based on 2,711 decisions made since 2016. This figure sits within the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. By examining this data, you can better understand the historical context of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge BaileySmith. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge BaileySmith'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 L. R. BaileySmith has fluctuated throughout the data window starting in 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2019 and 2021, the rate saw a decline in 2022 before rising in 2023. With 2,711 total decisions on record, these shifts highlight the importance of case-specific evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge BaileySmith'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 Richmond hearing office
L. R. BaileySmith's most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. The bench consists of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Richmond hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The SSA 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 Richmond hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 59% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
L. R. BaileySmith has an approval rate of 38% across 2,711 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 18% to 59% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. It began at 45% in 2016 and reached 31% in 2022 before moving to 43% in 2023. Understanding these trends is part of preparing your case, and an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures the process remains impartial. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have a strong case prepared regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you build your case.
The 38% approval rate for L. R. BaileySmith is a historical average, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
