Approval rates
The 59% approval rate for Larry Banks covers all 661 decisions on record from 2016 through 2019. This figure is best understood when viewed alongside the 29% to 85% range observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Banks. 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 Banks'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
Your judge's approval rate has shifted across the 661 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 64% in 2016, 59% in 2017, 59% in 2018, and 53% in 2019. These fluctuations reflect the evolving nature of the cases heard during that period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Banks'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
Larry Banks's most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you in the District of Columbia region and maintains a bench of 33 judges. You can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history at this location.
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 your judge is assigned randomly. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary significantly across this bench, understanding the broader context of the office is helpful.
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
Larry Banks holds a 59% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 29% to 85% range of approval rates for 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 your hearing.
The approval rate for Larry Banks has shifted over time, moving from 64% in 2016 to 53% in 2019. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized.
The 59% approval rate for Larry Banks is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
