Approval rates
The approval data for Mark R. Dawson reflects a record established over 1,749 lifetime decisions. When evaluating these figures, consider that the Denver hearing office bench maintains a broad range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 31% to 75%. This variance highlights the importance of presenting a well-documented case regardless of the specific judge assigned.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dawson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dawson'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
Mark R. Dawson has maintained a steady decision pattern throughout his recorded tenure starting in 2016. His annual approval rates have fluctuated within a moderate range, beginning at 55% in 2016 and moving to 51% by 2019. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating your evidence and medical documentation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dawson'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 Denver hearing office
The Denver hearing office serves you and other claimants across Colorado. The office maintains a diverse bench of 22 judges on record, reflecting a wide spectrum of judicial approaches to disability claims. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%, you should focus on building a comprehensive medical record to support your application.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges on record at this office since 2016. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 31% to 75%, the specific judge assigned can influence your hearing experience.
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
Mark R. Dawson holds a 54% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the broader 31% to 75% range observed among the 22 judges on record at the Denver office. Because each judge evaluates evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific nuances of Mark R. Dawson's courtroom.
Mark R. Dawson's approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with annual figures ranging from 51% to 58% across his 1,749 lifetime decisions. This consistency indicates a stable approach to case review. A qualified attorney can help you determine how your specific medical evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.