Approval rates
John E. Case maintains a 75% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 42% to 82% range observed across the Chattanooga bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 87% approval rate is 19 percentage points above the office-wide average of 68%. These figures reflect past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Case'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 record for John E. Case spans 4,556 lifetime decisions since 2016. His approval rate has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 66% in 2019 to a high of 87% in 2026. This recent performance reflects a shift from his earlier, more moderate approval levels.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Case'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 Chattanooga hearing office
The Chattanooga hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Tennessee. With 16 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary driver of your outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. The Chattanooga office has 16 judges on record since 2016, with 7 currently reporting. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 42% to 82% on lifetime records.
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
John E. Case has a 75% lifetime approval rate, which is positioned within the 42% to 82% range of all judges on record at the Chattanooga office. While his rate is higher than many peers, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, his approval rate has fluctuated over his 4,556 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates, his recent performance has trended upward to 87% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the office. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While the 75% lifetime rate provides context, the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to see if it meets the necessary standards.