Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 40% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 40% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbia MO hearing office. With 2,678 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Boorady. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Boorady'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 Carol L. Boorady has shown variation across the 2,678 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of fluctuation, the yearly approval percentages have trended toward the lower end of the historical range. The most recent data from 2023 reflects a continuation of this pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Boorady'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 Columbia MO hearing office
Carol L. Boorady's most recent office on record is the Columbia MO hearing office, with decisions there through September 2023. This office is staffed by a bench of 5 judges whose most recent records are at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbia MO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbia MO hearing office, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 40% to 66%. Because the assignment process is automated, you cannot request a specific judge.
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
Carol L. Boorady has a 40% approval rate on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 40% to 66% range for the 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbia MO hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Carol L. Boorady has fluctuated over the years, with 44% in 2016 and 32% in 2023. These shifts are often influenced by changes in case mix or the evidence provided in your individual claim. An attorney can help you understand how to strengthen your application for a hearing.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 40% approval rate on record for Carol L. Boorady reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
