Approval rates
The approval rate for Donald R. Colpitts reflects a significant volume of cases heard since 2016. When evaluating this data, it is helpful to compare the judge's lifetime record against the broader range of 34% to 80% seen across the Las Vegas hearing office bench. These figures provide context for the local environment, though your specific outcome depends on the medical evidence and testimony presented in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Colpitts. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Colpitts'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 pattern for Donald R. Colpitts has shown variation over the years, with rates reaching 89% in 2022 before adjusting to 78% in 2024. With 1,727 lifetime decisions on record, the data indicates a consistent history of adjudication. While the yearly trend shows some fluctuation, the overall lifetime rate remains high compared to the office average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Colpitts'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 Las Vegas hearing office
The Las Vegas hearing office serves claimants throughout Nevada, operating as a key hub for the region. The office maintains a bench of 10 judges on record, who collectively manage a high volume of disability claims. You can see the Las Vegas Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, with a wide variance in lifetime approval rates ranging from 34% to 80%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide landscape is part of being prepared.
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
Donald R. Colpitts has a lifetime approval rate of 80%, which sits at the top of the range for the 10 judges on record at the Las Vegas hearing office. Other judges at this location have lifetime rates as low as 34%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Donald R. Colpitts has fluctuated, moving from 76% in 2016 to 89% in 2022, and 78% in 2024. These shifts are common and can be influenced by changes in case mix or the specific evidence provided in hearings. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the Las Vegas hearing office. Since assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you might face.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee an outcome for your specific case. While Donald R. Colpitts has an 80% lifetime approval rate, your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.