Approval rates
Jeffrey L. Eastham's approval rate of 42% is based on 2,399 decisions since 2017. When compared to the bench at the Lexington hearing office, where approval rates range from 21% to 79%, his record sits within the local spectrum. In the most recent reporting period, his 53% approval rate outperformed the office average of 50% by 3 percentage points.
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 Eastham'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
Jeffrey L. Eastham's approval rate has fluctuated, showing a peak of 66% in 2018 followed by lower rates between 2019 and 2023. The most recent data from 2026 shows an approval rate of 53% over 454 decisions. This recent shift reflects changes in case mix and evidence quality over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eastham'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 Lexington hearing office
The Lexington hearing office is the most recent office on record for Jeffrey L. Eastham as of July 2026. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 50%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 21% to 79% 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
Jeffrey L. Eastham's 42% approval rate on record since 2017 sits within the 21% to 79% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington. In the latest reporting period, he approved 53% of cases, which is 3 percentage points higher than the office's 50% average. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has varied. After an initial 66% approval rate in 2018, the rate declined before rising to 53% in 2026. This trend highlights why it is important to have a strong, evidence-based case regardless of historical patterns. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare your evidence is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or a vocational expert. The judge's goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Factors such as the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony are more influential than a judge's historical average. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
