Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, compare a judge's performance against the broader bench at their most recent office. The 157 decisions on record for John A. Beall provide a data set for understanding his historical pattern since 2016. These figures represent past outcomes rather than a guarantee for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Beall. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Beall'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 John A. Beall showed a steady trend between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the approval rate was 71% over 171 decisions, and in 2017, it was 77% over 86 decisions. This pattern reflects his approach to case evaluation during his time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Beall'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
The Colorado Springs hearing office serves you across the region. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the judge you draw matters.
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
John A. Beall has an approval rate of 74% on record since 2016. This is at the high end of the 21% to 74% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this judge.
The approval rate for John A. Beall was 71% in 2016 and 77% in 2017. This indicates a relatively steady pattern of decisions during the time he was on record at this office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have a strong case prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions John A. Beall or any other judge may ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While John A. Beall has a 74% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific requirements of the SSA.
