Approval rates
The approval rate for Joseph Booth III is calculated from 3,303 lifetime decisions, providing a statistical baseline for his courtroom. Within the Greensboro hearing office, the bench maintains a lifetime approval-rate range between 50% and 89%. Comparing these figures helps you understand the local environment where your claim will be heard. 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 Booth III. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Booth III'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, the decision pattern for Joseph Booth III has shown notable shifts. After a period of lower approval rates between 2017 and 2019, the data shows an increase in approvals starting in 2020, with the rate remaining elevated through 2025. This trend suggests that recent years have seen a different outcome profile compared to his earlier record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Booth III'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 Greensboro hearing office
The Greensboro hearing office serves claimants throughout North Carolina, operating as a key hub for the region. With a bench of 16 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can see the Greensboro Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. The Greensboro hearing office features 16 judges on record since 2016, 8 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. With a lifetime approval-rate range spanning 50% to 89% across the bench, the judge you draw can influence the hearing experience.
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
Joseph Booth III has a lifetime approval rate of 50%, which sits at the lower end of the 50% to 89% range observed among the 16 judges on record at the Greensboro office. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards this judge expects.
Yes, his approval rate has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching a low of 38% in 2019, his approval rate rose to 59% in 2020 and has remained near that level through 2025. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your limitations are clearly presented.
A 50% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your medical record to strengthen your case.