Approval rates
The approval rates for judges at the Fargo hearing office range from 46% to 72% over their lifetime records. Comparing these figures helps provide a broader view of the local decision-making environment. With 3,954 decisions on record, the data for Denzel R. Busick offers a stable look at his historical patterns. These 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, your approval rate for Denzel R. Busick has shown a varied trend. After maintaining a steady approval rate near 75% for several years, the data shows a decline toward 63% in 2022 before a recent increase to 73% in 2023. This pattern reflects the judge's historical approach to the 3,954 decisions he has presided over. These fluctuations often mirror changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented during your hearing.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Fargo hearing office
The Fargo hearing office serves you throughout North Dakota. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges who handle a wide variety of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence you provide. You can see the Fargo hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom are reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 46% to 72% on a lifetime basis. You can find more information on the Fargo hearing office page.
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 holds a 72% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the top of the 46% to 72% range seen among the 7 judges on record at the Fargo office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the data shows a shift from 75% in 2016 to 63% in 2022, followed by a rise to 73% in 2023. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases heard. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process no matter who is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and strengthen your case before your hearing date.