Approval rates
Comparing approval rates provides context for your hearing, though these figures reflect historical data rather than future outcomes. The 71% approval rate for Michael J. Davenport is based on 1,827 decisions. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport, approval rates range from 41% to 88%.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Davenport. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Davenport'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
Michael J. Davenport's approval rate remained consistent throughout the 2016 to 2018 data window. In 2016, the approval rate was 73% over 673 decisions, followed by 68% in 2017 and 72% in 2018. This steady pattern suggests a reliable approach to evaluating evidence across the docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Davenport'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 Kingsport hearing office
Michael J. Davenport's most recent SSA record (September 2018) is at the Kingsport hearing office. This office serves the surrounding region of Tennessee, managing a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on the medical evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
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 Kingsport, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 88% on their since-2016 records. While these variations exist, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent.
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
Michael J. Davenport's 71% approval rate sits within the range of 41% to 88% observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport. Because each judge evaluates evidence differently, having an attorney review your case can help you prepare for these specific bench tendencies.
The approval rate for Michael J. Davenport has remained steady, moving from 73% in 2016 to 72% in 2018. This consistency across 1,827 decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. An attorney can help you understand how this history might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
The 71% approval rate on record for Michael J. Davenport reflects past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a strong case.
