Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your since-2016 record provides a broad view of history, the latest-period data offers a snapshot of current trends. In the most recent reporting period, the approval rate was 62%, which sits 2 points above the Morgantown office average of 60%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing statistical context for your case.
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 Crockett'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 September 2016, the approval rate for Brian Crockett has shown fluctuations. After a period of growth between 2017 and 2020, the rate saw a temporary decline in 2021 before trending upward again. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, with the approval rate currently outpacing both state and national averages. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Crockett'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 Morgantown hearing office
Brian Crockett's most recent office on record is the Morgantown hearing office, which serves claimants across West Virginia. This office is part of a regional network tasked with processing disability appeals. With a bench of 10 judges, the office maintains an average approval rate of 60% in the latest reporting period. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Morgantown hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 67% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Brian Crockett's latest-period approval rate of 62% is 2 points higher than the Morgantown office average of 60%. Because judges at this office have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 21% to 67%, your assigned judge can influence your case outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Brian Crockett has varied over the years, starting at 33% in 2016 and reaching 62% in the latest period. This trend reflects a mix of case types and evidentiary standards over the last decade. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Brian Crockett has a 55% approval rate since 2016, your individual outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards for approval.
