Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see a 37% approval rate on record since 2016, the most recent reporting period shows a 40% approval rate. This latest figure sits 10 percentage points below the Lexington office average of 50%, 11 points below the Kentucky state average of 51%, and 18 points below the national average of 58%. These figures provide context for recent activity, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your outcome.
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
The approval rate for Robert B. Bowling has varied since 2016, ranging from 29% to 41% in annual data. With 2,858 decisions on record, the judge maintains a consistent volume of activity. The latest period shows a 40% approval rate, which aligns with the judge's historical average. This pattern reflects a steady approach to case evaluation, where recent data continues established trends.
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 and other claimants across Kentucky and the surrounding region. As of the latest data, 18 judges have their most recent record at this location, which maintains an office-wide approval rate of 50% for the latest period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. For more information on the local bench, see the Lexington Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 21% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains consistent regardless of your assigned 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
Robert B. Bowling has a 37% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington, approval rates range from 21% to 79%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated over time, beginning at 29% in 2016 and moving to 40% in the most recent reporting period. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making over the last decade. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest case possible.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
