Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 53% approval rate for Salena D. Bowman-Davis reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 31% to 61% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from a large volume of cases. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bowman-Davis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bowman-Davis'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 Salena D. Bowman-Davis shows a downward trend across the 1,289 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates a 70% approval rate in 2016, which changed to 47% in 2017, 40% in 2018, and 37% in 2019. This pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over the period recorded.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bowman-Davis'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 NHC Albuquerque hearing office
Salena D. Bowman-Davis's most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, which served the New Mexico region. This office has a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standardized hearing process focused on the specific medical documentation provided for your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 61% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the process for presenting medical evidence remains consistent across the bench.
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
Salena D. Bowman-Davis has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 31% to 61% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Salena D. Bowman-Davis has trended from 70% in 2016 to 37% in 2019. This data is based on 1,289 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 53% approval rate for Salena D. Bowman-Davis is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your individual case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA requirements. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before your hearing date.
