Approval rates
The approval data for Michael C. Blanton is based on 1,975 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2021. This volume provides a stable view of his decision-making history within the Seattle office. When evaluating your own claim, it is helpful to see how this rate sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 21% to 93%. 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 Blanton. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Blanton'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, Michael C. Blanton has maintained a consistent pattern of high approval rates. His annual performance shows a steady trend, with approval percentages remaining in the 90s throughout the recorded window. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence in your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Blanton'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Seattle hearing office
The Seattle hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a key hub for disability adjudications in Washington. The office bench consists of 22 judges on record, and the facility maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a professional environment focused on the thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 22 judges on record at the Seattle office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 93% on a lifetime basis.
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
Michael C. Blanton holds a lifetime approval rate of 93%, which sits at the high end of the 21% to 93% range seen among the 22 judges on record at the Seattle office. While his rate is high, your case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you understand how to present your claim effectively before this judge.
The approval rate for Michael C. Blanton has remained steady since 2016, consistently staying above 90% in every recorded year. This stability suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how his history might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a strong, evidence-based case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Seattle hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have your case fully prepared by a qualified attorney who understands the local hearing environment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. While Michael C. Blanton has a 93% lifetime rate, your success depends on the quality of your medical documentation and your testimony. An attorney can help you identify and fill any gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.