Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 32% approval rate for Patrick R. Digby covers all decisions on record since 2016, placing him within the 32% to 76% range seen among his peers at the Florence hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, his 37% approval rate sits 10 points below the office average of 47%. These figures are based on a docket of 3,312 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Digby'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 Patrick R. Digby has shown significant variation since 2016. After a period of decline that saw rates reach a low of 15% in 2021, the trend has shifted upward, with recent years showing more consistent approval levels. The 37% approval rate in the latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern of stabilization compared to earlier, lower figures.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Digby'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 Florence hearing office
Patrick R. Digby's most recent office on record is the Florence hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 47%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical evidence and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Florence
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Florence hearing office, 6 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench vary widely, ranging from 32% to 76% on their records since 2016.
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
Patrick R. Digby has an approval rate of 32% on his record since 2016. This places him at the lower end of the 32% to 76% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Florence hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Patrick R. Digby has fluctuated over time. After reaching a low of 15% in 2021, his approval rate has trended upward, reaching 37% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your hearing preparation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for your 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 testimony. You will likely answer questions about your daily limitations and why your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Patrick R. Digby has a 32% approval rate on record since 2016, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is fully documented.
