Approval rates
Judge Bowling's approval record is evaluated against the broader context of the Lexington hearing office, where lifetime approval rates among the 18 judges on record range from 21% to 79%. In the most recent reporting period, his 40% approval rate sits 10 points below the office average of 50%, 11 points below the state average of 51%, and 18 points below the national average of 58%. These comparisons are based on the latest reporting period to ensure statistical consistency.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
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
Since 2016, Judge Bowling has issued 2,858 decisions. His approval rate has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While his 2016 approval rate was 29%, recent years have seen the rate stabilize between 37% and 41%. This consistency reflects a steady approach to case evaluation.
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 Lexington hearing office
The Lexington hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 18 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 50%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment. You can expect a standardized hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Lexington hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Bowling is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 21% to 79% over their respective lifetimes.
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
Judge Bowling has a lifetime approval rate of 37% across 2,858 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 21% to 79% for the 18 judges on record at the Lexington office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards of this bench.
Judge Bowling's approval rate has held relatively steady since 2016. While he began with a 29% approval rate in 2016, his performance in recent years has consistently ranged between 37% and 41%. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a strong case with an attorney is essential regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a 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 tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Judge Bowling may ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.