Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. Eugene Bond's 54% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 29% to 85% range observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is Washington. These figures are based on 530 decisions on record, providing a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bond. 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 Bond'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 data for Eugene Bond covers 530 decisions on record between January 2016 and September 2017. During this window, the approval rate shifted from 51% in 2016 to 59% in 2017. This trend reflects the specific case mix and evidence presented during that period. Understanding these patterns helps in setting expectations for your hearing, though every case is unique.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bond'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 Washington hearing office
Eugene Bond's most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. With 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a broad range of decision patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Washington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is Washington, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, your preparation remains critical.
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
Eugene Bond has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 29% to 85% range of the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is Washington. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this bench.
Eugene Bond's approval rate was 51% in 2016 and 59% in 2017 across 530 decisions on record. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a smart move.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you navigate the process and answer questions clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and prepare for your hearing.
