Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 55% approval rate for Roosevelt Currie reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 40% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Currie. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Currie isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over one period, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Currie'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 Roosevelt Currie remained steady between 2017 and 2018, with 55% and 56% approval respectively across the majority of the 466 total decisions on record since 2016. While the data shows a lower volume of activity in 2019, the overall trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. This pattern provides a stable view of how the judge has historically managed the evidence presented in disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Currie'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 NHC St Louis hearing office
Roosevelt Currie's most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, and its bench includes 15 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating medical evidence, understanding the bench as a whole is helpful for your preparation.
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
Roosevelt Currie has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 40% to 79% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Roosevelt Currie was 55% in 2017 and 56% in 2018, showing a steady pattern across the majority of the 466 decisions on record. Understanding these trends can be part of your overall strategy, and an attorney can help you assess how your evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Roosevelt Currie has a 55% approval rate on record, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
