Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 42% approval rate on record since 2017 provides a broad view of decision history, while latest-period figures offer a snapshot of recent activity. These statistics are derived from 2,438 decisions on record, providing a stable data foundation. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 July 2017, your approval rate for Brian Battles has shown variation across 2,438 decisions on record. The most recent data shows a 30% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This recent figure reflects a partial fiscal year, and the trend pattern suggests a shift in outcomes compared to previous years. These fluctuations may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
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
Brian Battles' most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you in the region and maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide latest approval rate is 56%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 41% to 88% on their since-2016 records.
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 an approval rate of 42% on record since 2017. This sits within the range of 41% to 88% observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kingsport hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Brian Battles has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2017 is 42%, the latest reporting period shows a 30% approval rate. Understanding these trends can be part of your case strategy, and an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
Approval rates are based on past decisions and are not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you assess the strengths of your case.
