Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 50% approval rate for Carol K. Bowen reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 32% to 63% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Fort Worth. This range provides a clear view of how this judge sits within the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bowen. 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 Bowen'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 K. Bowen has shown notable shifts across the 3,722 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2020, the trend moved upward, reaching 62% in 2025. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or the specific evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bowen'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 Fort Worth hearing office
Carol K. Bowen's most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office, which serves you in Texas. This office features a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 63% on their since-2016 records.
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 K. Bowen has an approval rate of 50% across 3,722 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 63% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate was 38% in 2018, it rose to 62% in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on your medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before the judge.
