Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. Nathan Brown's 39% approval rate on record since 2017 is evaluated against the broader bench at the Charleston WV hearing office, where peers range from 39% to 78% on their own since-2016 records. These figures rely on a volume of 2,336 decisions on record, providing a baseline for understanding past trends. 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 Brown. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Brown'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 2017, the approval pattern for Nathan Brown has shown fluctuations. After a period of relative stability between 2018 and 2021, the rate reached 47% in 2022 and 43% in 2023. The most recent data from 2025 shows a rate of 36% over 142 decisions. This variation suggests that recent decisions reflect a shift from the mid-period peak, though the overall pattern remains consistent with the long-term average of 39%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brown'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 Charleston WV hearing office
The Charleston WV hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse caseload. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 62%, your individual outcome varies based on the specific evidence presented in your case. You can see the Charleston WV Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge maintains their own approach to evidence, understanding the office-wide bench is a standard part of your hearing preparation.
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
Nathan Brown's 39% approval rate on record since 2017 is within the 39% to 78% range established by the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 2,336 decisions on record. While the rate was 39% in 2018, it reached 47% in 2022 before settling at 36% in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
No, the Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, and you cannot request a specific judge. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.
The 39% approval rate on record since 2017 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in any hearing. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
