Approval rates
The approval rate for Craig Denney is based on 1,774 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2022. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Reno hearing office, where the 7 judges range from 27% to 63% in their approval rates on record since 2016. These statistics provide a probability cloud based on historical data rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Denney. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Denney'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 Craig Denney has fluctuated throughout his time on record since 2016. After starting at 43% in 2016, the rate saw a peak of 48% in 2020 before shifting to 35% in 2021 and 42% in 2022. These variations across 1,774 total decisions suggest that your case outcome is sensitive to the specific evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Denney'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 Reno hearing office
The Reno hearing office serves you if you are in Nevada and surrounding areas. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You should focus on the quality of your medical documentation and vocational evidence to support your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Reno
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Reno hearing office, there are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 63%. While these peers operate within the same office, their individual dockets vary in size and outcome.
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
Craig Denney's 40% approval rate sits within the 27% to 63% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Reno. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Craig Denney has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 35% to a high of 48% during the 2016 to 2022 period. These shifts highlight the importance of presenting a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you understand how to best prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Reno hearing office. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational or medical experts. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Craig Denney has an approval rate of 40% on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
