Approval rates
The 71% approval rate for Toby J. Buel Sr. reflects his entire record since 2016. The bench at the Charleston WV office shows a range of outcomes, with the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location recording rates between 39% and 78% over the same period. These figures provide a look at historical patterns rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Buel Sr.. 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 Buel Sr.'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, Toby J. Buel Sr. has maintained a consistent pattern of approvals across his 4,472 decisions. His approval rate rose from 52% in 2016 to 67% in 2017, then remained between 72% and 74% for most years through 2023. His approval rate was 78% in 2024 and 76% in 2025.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Buel Sr.'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 is the most recent office on record for 9 judges, with the last recorded decision in September 2025. The office handles a significant volume of disability claims, and your hearing outcome will depend primarily on the quality of the evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV hearing office. Approval rates among these peers range from 39% to 78% on their records since 2016.
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
Toby J. Buel Sr. has an approval rate of 71% on record since 2016. This places him within the range of 39% to 78% seen among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV location. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the rate has shifted over time. Starting at 52% in 2016, his approval rate rose to 73% by 2018 and has remained relatively steady since, with a rate of 76% in 2025. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any judge.
The 71% approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. It represents the probability of past decisions, but your specific medical evidence and work history are the most important factors in your hearing. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
