Approval rates
When reviewing the performance of an ALJ, it is helpful to look at how their approval rate compares to broader benchmarks. Judge Brockington's 26% lifetime approval rate is measured against the Raleigh Hearing Office latest rate of 62% and the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from a significant docket of 10,653 lifetime decisions, providing a stable look at historical trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Brockington'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 5 years on the bench, Judge Brockington has maintained a consistent approach to case adjudication. His yearly trend shows a pattern, starting with a 30% approval rate in 2016 and shifting to 12% in 2020. This variation is common in Social Security disability hearings and often reflects changes in the complexity of cases or the medical evidence presented. The data indicates that his recent decisions remain aligned with his established career history.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brockington'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 Brockington? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh Hearing Office serves a large population across North Carolina, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an active docket that requires careful coordination of medical records and testimony. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your functional limitations under 20 CFR Part 404. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. At the Raleigh Hearing Office, the office's 6 ALJs range from 26% to 69% in their lifetime approval rates. This variance highlights why every case requires a tailored strategy regardless of the specific judge assigned. You can find more information on the Raleigh Hearing Office page.
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.