Approval rates
Judge Brinkley maintains a lifetime approval rate of 55% based on 25,891 decisions. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate reached 60%, compared to the Raleigh office average of 62% and the national average of 58%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for how cases are processed in this jurisdiction.
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 Brinkley'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
Over his 10 years on the bench, Judge Brinkley has seen his approval rates evolve from 41% in 2016 to 62% in 2025. This trend indicates a shift toward higher approval frequency compared to his earlier tenure. His latest period approval rate of 60% remains stable relative to his recent annual performance, suggesting a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brinkley'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.
Hearing with Judge Brinkley? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh Hearing Office serves a significant volume of claimants throughout North Carolina. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains a latest approval rate of 62%, reflecting regional trends in disability adjudication. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical records and vocational history when appearing at this office.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the Raleigh office, the 6 ALJs range from 40% to 69% in their lifetime approval rates. While these variations exist, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent across all courtrooms.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.