Approval rates
The approval rate for Valerie A. Bawolek is based on 4,004 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench, the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office show a range of 39% to 78% approval on their own records since 2016. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bawolek. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bawolek'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 2016, the approval rate for Valerie A. Bawolek has moved from 67% in 2016 to 90% in 2024, with a 78% approval rate across 85 decisions in 2025. This pattern reflects a consistent approach to evidence evaluation over the last decade, with recent data returning closer to the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bawolek'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 Charleston WV hearing office
Valerie A. Bawolek's most recent office on record is the Charleston WV hearing office, which serves you across West Virginia. This office hosts a bench of 9 judges who have collectively managed a significant volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the decision. You can see the Charleston WV Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 78% on their records since 2016. 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
Valerie A. Bawolek has an approval rate of 78% on her record since 2016. Among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office, approval rates range from 39% to 78%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Valerie A. Bawolek has trended upward over the last decade, starting at 67% in 2016 and reaching 90% in 2024, before recording 78% in 2025. These fluctuations are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or the evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this hearing office.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Valerie A. Bawolek has a 78% approval rate on her 4,004 decisions since 2016, your success depends on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you organize your records to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
