Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period. Adam Dale's lifetime approval rate of 59% sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 30% to 63%. In the most recent reporting period, his 63% approval rate compares to an office-wide rate of 65%, a state rate of 60%, and a national average of 58%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing.
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 Dale'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 2017, Adam Dale has issued 2,839 decisions. His yearly approval rates have fluctuated, showing a low of 51% in 2019 and reaching 64% in 2023. The trend has remained steady in recent years, with the 2026 approval rate of 63% aligning closely with his performance in 2025.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dale'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 Mt Pleasant MI hearing office
The MT Pleasant MI hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. The office is staffed by 8 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the MT Pleasant MI Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 30% to 63% on a lifetime basis.
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
Adam Dale's lifetime approval rate of 59% is positioned within the office's lifetime range of 30% to 63%. While he sits within this spectrum, every judge evaluates evidence differently. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of Adam Dale's courtroom.
Adam Dale's approval rate has shown variation since 2017, ranging from 51% in 2019 to a high of 64% in 2023. The rate has remained steady in the most recent periods, with 63% approval in both 2025 and 2026. An attorney can help you build a stronger case by understanding these trends.
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, it is vital to be prepared for any judge by working with a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for this testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your case.