Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Brian Battles maintains a 42% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate is 30%, which sits 26 points below the current 56% average for the Kingsport office. These figures are derived from a significant docket of 2,438 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of his historical trends.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Battles'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 2017, the record for Brian Battles shows a varied approval trend. After maintaining approval rates in the 40% to 50% range for several years, the most recent data indicates a shift toward a 30% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This recent divergence from his lifetime average of 42% may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Battles'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 Kingsport hearing office
The Kingsport hearing office serves you if you are a claimant throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a diverse bench of 15 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. The office currently reports a 56% approval rate for the latest period. To learn more about the local administrative environment, see the Kingsport hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Brian Battles is essentially random. The Kingsport office features 15 judges on record since 2016, with 8 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. Across this bench, lifetime approval rates vary widely, ranging from 41% to 88%.
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
Brian Battles has a lifetime approval rate of 42%, which sits at the lower end of the 41% to 88% range observed among the 15 judges on record at the Kingsport office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you build a strategy that addresses the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his decision patterns. While he maintained approval rates between 40% and 54% for much of his record, the latest reporting period shows a 30% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case preparation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are complete.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Brian Battles' 42% lifetime rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.