Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, it is helpful to compare a judge's performance against the broader bench at their most recent office. The 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 27% to 74% on their records since 2016. These figures provide a baseline for understanding the local environment, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific 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 January 2016, Kelly Davis has issued 3,608 decisions. The yearly approval trend has remained steady, with minor fluctuations between 65% and 75% over the last decade. While the rate was 73% in 2016 and 69% in 2025, the consistency in these figures suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. This pattern indicates that the judge's decision-making process has remained consistent over the period covered by the available data.
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 Raleigh hearing office
Kelly Davis's most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office serves claimants across North Carolina and is part of a larger regional network. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench handles a significant volume of SSDI claims. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh, and their approval rates vary significantly from 27% to 74%. While some judges may have different tendencies, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent. 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
Kelly Davis has an approval rate of 70% on record since 2016, which sits toward the higher end of the 27% to 74% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Kelly Davis has remained relatively steady over the years, starting at 73% in 2016 and recording 69% in 2025. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating disability claims. If you are concerned about how your case will be viewed, a free case review can provide clarity on your next steps. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Kelly Davis will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards required for approval.
