Approval rates
The approval rates for Michael K. Dennard reflect his history of decision-making within the Social Security Administration framework. While his lifetime rate stands at 51%, his most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 58%, which is 4 percentage points higher than the office average and 1 percentage point higher than the state average. These figures are derived from a docket of 3,679 lifetime decisions.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dennard'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, the decision pattern for Michael K. Dennard has shifted. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2023, his recent record indicates an upward trend, reaching 57% in 2025 and 57% in 2026. This recent performance reflects a departure from his earlier outcomes, influenced by the specific nature of the claims presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dennard'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 Savannah hearing office
The Savannah hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region, functioning as a hub for disability adjudication in Georgia. With a bench of 14 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary driver of your outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Savannah hearing office currently hosts 14 judges on record, with 5 judges actively reporting in the latest SSA data. Because the Social Security Administration assigns cases through a randomized workload-balancing algorithm, you cannot request a specific judge. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, ranging from 36% to 81% over their respective lifetimes.
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
Michael K. Dennard has a lifetime approval rate of 51%, which sits within the broader office range of 36% to 81%. In the latest reporting period, his 58% approval rate is 4 percentage points higher than the Savannah office average of 54%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this judge.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After hovering between 42% and 49% from 2018 to 2023, Michael K. Dennard has seen his approval rate rise to 57% in the most recent years. If you are concerned about how these changes affect your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Savannah hearing office. Because assignment is out of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past work or other jobs. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is organized effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Michael K. Dennard has a lifetime rate of 51%, your specific result depends on the medical evidence and the testimony provided at your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench by highlighting the evidence that matters most.