Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Larry B. Creson based on his record since 2016. These figures are compared against the range of other judges who have decided cases at the Memphis Hearing Office in SSA's latest file. With 312 decisions on record, this data provides a view of past activity.
Judge Creson is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Creson isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Creson'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
Larry B. Creson's record spans from 2016 through 2017, during which he issued 312 decisions. The data shows an 80% approval rate in 2016, followed by a 100% approval rate over a sample of 3 decisions in 2017.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Creson'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 Memphis hearing office
The Memphis Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis, 7 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file and range from 45% to 55% on their since-2016 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
Larry B. Creson's 80% approval rate on record through 2017 sits above the 45% to 55% range observed among the 7 judges who decided cases at the Memphis Hearing Office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Larry B. Creson's approval rate was 80% in 2016 and 100% over 3 decisions in 2017. Because his record ends in 2017, there is no recent data to track a long-term trend. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with hearing standards.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring random distribution. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert will discuss your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence and your ability to meet SSA's disability criteria are the primary factors in any decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the evidence in your file to build the strongest case possible.
