Approval rates
The approval rate for Denzel R. Busick is calculated from 3,954 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 46% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo Hearing Office. Comparing these records provides a baseline for understanding how different benches approach disability claims. 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 Busick. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Busick'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, the approval rate for Denzel R. Busick has shown a varied trend. After maintaining a steady approval rate between 74% and 76% from 2016 through 2019, the data indicates a shift in the following years, with a return to 73% in 2023. These fluctuations across 3,954 decisions on record highlight the importance of presenting a complete medical file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Busick'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 Fargo hearing office
The Fargo Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across North Dakota and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which has an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fargo
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 46% to 72% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Denzel R. Busick has a 72% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the high end of the 46% to 72% range for the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Denzel R. Busick has fluctuated over time. While he maintained rates above 74% from 2016 to 2019, the rate shifted in subsequent years before returning to 73% in 2023. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to the current requirements for your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly organized.
The 72% approval rate for Denzel R. Busick reflects his past decisions since 2016, but it is not a prediction for your specific outcome. Every case is decided on its own merits and the quality of the evidence provided. An attorney can help you identify the specific medical documentation needed to support your claim.
