Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Judge Crowell's 46% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 32% to 81% range observed among the bench at the Eugene hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, the 51% approval rate is 7 percentage points lower than the office average of 58%. These figures provide a stable look at past patterns.
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 Crowell'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 2016, the approval rate for Judge Crowell has varied, moving from 45% in 2016 to 55% in 2025. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 51% approval rate, which aligns with the performance seen in 2023 and 2024. This pattern reflects the judge's history of decisions on record over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Crowell'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 Eugene hearing office
Jason W. Crowell's most recent office on record is the Eugene hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 58%, providing a benchmark for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Eugene hearing office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the SSA's latest file through July 2026. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 32% to 81%.
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
Judge Crowell's 46% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 32% to 81% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Eugene hearing office. Your specific case evidence is the primary factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Judge Crowell has fluctuated, starting at 45% in 2016 and reaching 55% in 2025, with a 51% rate in the most recent partial year. These shifts reflect the judge's history of decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Because assignment is random, you should be prepared for any judge by having a strong, well-documented case. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are organized for the judge's review.
A judge's approval rate is a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. While it provides context for the judge's history, the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony are the most critical components of your claim. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific standards required for approval.
