Approval rates
The 47% approval rate for Norman L. Bennett reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 80% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office. With 2,736 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bennett. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bennett'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 Norman L. Bennett has shown variation across the 2,736 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of stability in the late 2010s, the data shows an upward shift in 2020 and 2022. These fluctuations are common in Social Security Administration dockets and may reflect changes in case mix or the quality of evidence presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bennett'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 Las Vegas hearing office
Norman L. Bennett's most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office, which serves the Nevada region. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Las Vegas
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 80%. While these figures provide context for the office, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
Norman L. Bennett has an approval rate of 47% across 2,736 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 34% to 80% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Norman L. Bennett has fluctuated, with rates of 45% in 2016 and 53% in 2022. These yearly shifts are a normal part of the judicial record and often depend on the complexity of the cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your own case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented clearly to the judge.
The 47% approval rate for Norman L. Bennett is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your result. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
