Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 13% to 77% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office. With 1,749 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bowling. 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 Bowling'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 Edward Bowling has fluctuated across the 1,749 decisions on record since 2016. The yearly trend shows a period of stability followed by an increase in the final year of the record. Because the SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, these variations are common. The recent data reflects a departure from the earlier, more steady pattern, which may be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bowling'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 Knoxville hearing office
Edward Bowling's most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office, with activity recorded through September 2021. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and is part of a bench consisting of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Knoxville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Knoxville
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 13% to 77%. This variance highlights why preparing your evidence thoroughly is essential regardless of your specific assignment. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Edward Bowling has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 13% to 77% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this bench.
The approval rate for Edward Bowling has shown variation across the 1,749 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate remained relatively steady for several years, the final year of the record showed an increase. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your work history and how your symptoms limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Edward Bowling has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016, your case will be decided based on the unique medical and vocational evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
