Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data sets, specifically the judge's lifetime record against the broader office-wide lifetime range of 47% to 79%. With 4,055 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of how this judge has historically approached disability claims. This volume of cases allows for a stable understanding of the judge's record compared to the office bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not 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 26, 2025. 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
Since 2016, your approval rate for Harold D. Davis has shown a notable upward trajectory. While the early years of the record saw approval rates in the mid-50% range, the trend shifted significantly starting in 2019, with recent years frequently exceeding 70%. This pattern suggests a shift in the judge's approach to evidence or the types of cases presented. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, indicating that the judge's current decision-making process is well-established.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Fort Smith hearing office
The Fort Smith hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 8 judges on record. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%. You can see the Fort Smith Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016, 3 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, spanning from 47% to 79% over their respective lifetimes. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 Davis holds a 66% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 47% to 79% range observed across the 8 judges on record at the Fort Smith office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Davis has trended upward since 2016. While earlier years saw rates near 55%, recent data shows the judge approving cases at a higher frequency, often exceeding 70%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee an outcome for your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.