Approval rates
The 69% approval rate for Paul S. Carter reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office. These figures represent historical averages rather than predictions for your specific 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 24, 2021. 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
The approval rate for Paul S. Carter was 60% in 2016, 67% in 2017, 68% in 2018, 71% in 2019, 79% in 2020, and 69% in 2021. These yearly fluctuations occur across the 2,152 decisions on record since 2016. This data reflects past trends in the judge's decision-making.
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
Paul S. Carter's most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office. This office includes 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can review the Savannah hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge evaluates evidence differently, your assigned judge is a factor in your hearing process.
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
Paul S. Carter has an approval rate of 69% on record since 2016. This places him 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 prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Paul S. Carter was 60% in 2016 and reached 79% in 2020, before settling at 69% in 2021. These figures are based on 2,152 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how your case evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge you draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational expert will discuss your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your limitations are clearly communicated.
The 69% approval rate for Paul S. Carter is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how he will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational factors you present. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
