Approval rates
Comparing an approval rate requires looking at the same data window. The 38% approval rate for Larry J. Butler covers all decisions on record since 2016. This is set against a range of 38% to 70% for other judges whose most recent office on record is the same. These figures rely on a docket of 99 decisions to provide a view of past patterns. 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 Butler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Butler'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
The approval rate for Larry J. Butler shifted between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the rate was 32% over 89 decisions, while the 2017 period saw an increase to 52% over 47 decisions. This trend indicates a change in the proportion of allowances during the time he was active at the Fort Myers FL office. Such variations in approval patterns are common and often reflect differences in the specific evidence or case mix presented during those periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Butler'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 Fort Myers FL hearing office
Larry J. Butler's most recent office on record is the Fort Myers FL hearing office, with activity through September 2017. This office serves you and other claimants in the Florida region and maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and work history. You can see the Fort Myers FL Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Myers FL
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Myers FL hearing office. Approval rates among this group range from 38% to 70% based on their records since 2016. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Larry J. Butler's 38% approval rate is at the lower end of the 38% to 70% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Myers FL. Because your case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend between 2016 and 2017. The approval rate moved from 32% in 2016 to 52% in 2017. An attorney can help you evaluate how these past patterns might relate to the current evidence in your case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a strong case is essential regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your documentation is complete.
