Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 54% approval rate for Mark R. Dawson reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 31% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. With 1,749 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. 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 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
The approval rate for Mark R. Dawson showed fluctuation across the 1,749 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 55% in 2016, 58% in 2017, 52% in 2018, and 51% in 2019. These variations reflect changes in the complexity of the cases or the evidence presented during your hearings.
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 across Colorado and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 22 judges have their most recent record at this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant factor.
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 has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 75% range of the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Mark R. Dawson has shifted over time, moving from 55% in 2016 to 51% by 2019. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to the current evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
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 daily activities and how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While it provides context for the judge's history, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the requirements of your hearing.
