Approval rates
The approval rate for Scott A. Bryant is based on 1,855 decisions rendered between 2016 and 2023. When compared to the broader bench at the Washington hearing office, where approval rates for the 33 judges range from 29% to 85%, his record provides a clear view of his past activity. These figures offer a baseline for understanding how your case may be evaluated.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bryant. The most recent period with decisions on record is March 31, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bryant'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 2016, Scott A. Bryant has maintained a pattern of approvals with yearly rates fluctuating between 55% and 80%. His docket saw an increase in approval frequency in 2022 and 2023. This trend reflects a shift in case outcomes toward the end of his time at the Washington office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bryant'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 Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves you throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. As one of 33 judges with a record at this location, Scott A. Bryant contributed to a bench that handles a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Washington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Washington hearing office, there are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 29% to 85%.
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
Scott A. Bryant's 59% approval rate sits within the range of 29% to 85% observed among the 33 judges at the Washington office. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, his approval rate showed a trend, moving from 58% in 2017 to 80% in 2023. While these past figures provide context, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to ensure workload balance across the hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 59% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of future results. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned to your hearing.
