Approval rates
The 54% approval rate for Elizabeth B. Dunlap reflects her performance on 1,914 decisions on record since 2016, which sits within the 24% to 88% range of her peers at the Dallas North office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been handled historically.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dunlap. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dunlap'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 Elizabeth B. Dunlap showed a steady trend between 2016 and 2019, with annual rates of 52%, 55%, 57%, and 54% respectively. In 2020, the rate on her 356 decisions was 49%. These 1,914 decisions on record since 2016 demonstrate a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dunlap'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 Dallas North hearing office
The Dallas North hearing office is the most recent office on record for Elizabeth B. Dunlap as of September 2020. With 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it manages a significant volume of disability hearings.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge evaluates evidence independently, the specific judge assigned to your case is only one factor in the overall process.
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
Elizabeth B. Dunlap has an approval rate of 54% based on 1,914 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 24% to 88% range of the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
Her approval rate remained relatively steady between 2016 and 2019, starting at 52% and reaching 57% in 2018 before settling at 54% in 2019. In 2020, the rate was 49% across 356 decisions. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare the strongest possible case for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, work history, and the limitations caused by your condition. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Elizabeth B. Dunlap approved 54% of cases on record since 2016, every case is decided on its own merits and the quality of the medical evidence provided. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
