Approval rates
The approval rate for Linda S. Crovella is based on 1,712 decisions on record since 2017. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. These data points offer context for the hearing process, though they remain distinct from the specific evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Crovella. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Crovella'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 Linda S. Crovella shows a declining trend over the period from 2017 to 2022. Starting at 58% in 2017, the annual approval rate moved to 43% in 2018 and 40% in 2019, before settling into a range between 33% and 35% from 2020 through 2022. With 1,712 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over the latter half of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Crovella'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 Richmond hearing office
The Richmond hearing office is part of the broader SSA regional network. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Claimants appearing at this office can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 59% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Linda S. Crovella has an approval rate of 39% across 1,712 decisions on record since 2017. This places her within the 18% to 59% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a decline from a 58% approval rate in 2017 to 35% by 2022. While these historical patterns provide context, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Linda S. Crovella's 39% rate on record since 2017 is a matter of public record, your case outcome depends primarily on your unique medical evidence. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a hearing.
