Approval rates
The 36% approval rate for Donald R. Davis reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 24% to 88% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North. This docket of 1,114 decisions provides a view of past activity, though these aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Davis. 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 Davis'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 Donald R. Davis remained steady throughout the recorded window of January 2016 to September 2018. With 1,114 decisions on record, the annual approval figures were 36% in 2016, 36% in 2017, and 37% in 2018. This consistency reflects a stable approach to case evaluation during that period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Davis'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 Dallas North hearing office
The Dallas North hearing office is the most recent office on record for Donald R. Davis as of September 2018. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. While office-wide approval rates can provide context, your case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. Because assignment is outside of your control, understanding the office environment 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
Donald R. Davis has an approval rate of 36% on record since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 88% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with these patterns.
The approval rate for Donald R. Davis has remained steady, with 36% in 2016, 36% in 2017, and 37% in 2018. This consistency across 1,114 decisions on record indicates a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Donald R. Davis has a 36% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends on the unique medical evidence and documentation in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
