Approval rates
The approval rate for Constance D. Carter is based on 2,280 decisions recorded between January 2016 and September 2022. When compared to the 36% to 81% approval-rate range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office, this figure provides a clear view of her historical docket. These statistics are derived from official SSA records. 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 Carter. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Carter'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 Constance D. Carter has fluctuated between 53% and 65% during her active years on record. With 2,280 decisions analyzed, the data reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. While the final year of her record shows a limited sample, the preceding years demonstrate a stable pattern of decision-making. This historical consistency provides a baseline for how your evidence and testimony may be evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Carter'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 Savannah hearing office
Constance D. Carter's most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office, which serves claimants in Georgia. This office is part of a regional network that manages a high volume of disability claims. With 14 judges on its bench, the office maintains a distinct operational environment. You can view the Savannah hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81%. Five of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file. You can prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Constance D. Carter has an approval rate of 61% since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 81% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local benchmarks.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching 65% by 2020. This pattern across 2,280 decisions indicates a stable approach to disability claims. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
The 61% approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. It reflects how Constance D. Carter has ruled on past cases, not how she will rule on yours. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench by highlighting the medical evidence most relevant to your claim.
