Approval rates
The approval rate for Regina Carpenter is based on 3,375 decisions recorded since 2016. When compared to the broader bench at the Morgantown hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 21% to 67%, her record provides a clear view of her historical decision-making. These figures are derived from SSA data to help you understand the landscape of your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Carpenter. 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 Carpenter'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 judge's approval rate has fluctuated. She recorded a 59% approval rate in 2016, 61% in 2017, 54% in 2018, 47% in 2019, 48% in 2020, 51% in 2021, 56% in 2022, 55% in 2023, 63% in 2024, and 56% in 2025. These annual variations reflect the changing mix of cases and evidence presented to the court.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Carpenter'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 Morgantown hearing office
The Morgantown hearing office is the most recent office on record for Regina Carpenter as of September 2025. This office hosts 10 judges who have recorded decisions there since 2016. You can view the Morgantown hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Morgantown hearing office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 67%. While you cannot choose your judge, knowing the range of outcomes at this office helps you understand the environment of your hearing.
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
Regina Carpenter sits within the range for the Morgantown hearing office, which sees approval rates between 21% and 67% for judges on record since 2016. Her 55% approval rate reflects her specific history over 3,375 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence to the standards of this office.
Yes, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated, starting at 59% in 2016 and reaching 63% in 2024 before settling at 56% in 2025. These shifts are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases assigned. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses current evidentiary standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your daily limitations and work history by the judge and potentially a vocational expert. Having an attorney can help you navigate these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
The 55% approval rate for Regina Carpenter is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
