Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see a 59% approval rate since 2016, the judge's latest-period rate is 55%, compared to the 60% office-wide average for the same period. These figures are drawn from a docket of 2,741 decisions on record since 2016, providing a view of past activity.
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 Dunn'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 Michael R. Dunn has fluctuated since 2016. After a peak in 2023, the rate shifted, with the latest period reflecting a 55% approval rate. This pattern across 2,741 decisions on record suggests that while the judge maintains a consistent overall average, your outcome remains dependent on the medical evidence and case mix you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dunn'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 Flint hearing office
The Flint hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 60%. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Flint hearing office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 81% on their records since 2016. Four of these judges decided cases in the latest SSA file.
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 R. Dunn has a 59% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint hearing office, approval rates range from 42% to 81%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 64% in 2016 and reaching 55% in the latest reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you navigate these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. Your best strategy is to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures common at the Flint hearing office.
The 59% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
