Approval rates
Evaluating your chances requires looking at the broader context of the Shreveport hearing office. While the office-wide lifetime approval rates for judges on record range from 38% to 79%, Carolyn Ebbers sits at 39% based on 284 lifetime decisions. These figures provide a baseline for understanding how your case might be reviewed. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ebbers. The most recent period with decisions on record is February 22, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ebbers'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 record for Carolyn Ebbers spans from 2017 to 2019, reflecting a total of 284 lifetime decisions. During this period, the approval rate shifted from 34% in 2018 to 44% in 2019. This trend indicates a rise in approvals over the observed window. Such patterns often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented, rather than a shift in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ebbers'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 Shreveport hearing office
The Shreveport hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Louisiana and the surrounding region. With 6 judges on record, this office manages a diverse caseload of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where medical evidence and vocational testimony are central to the outcome. You can see the Shreveport Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Carolyn Ebbers is essentially random. There are 6 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with a lifetime range of 38% to 79%. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Carolyn Ebbers has a lifetime approval rate of 39%, which falls at the lower end of the 38% to 79% range seen among the 6 judges on record at the Shreveport office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you build a strategy that addresses the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend, with the approval rate increasing from 34% in 2018 to 44% in 2019. While this shift is notable, it is important to remember that past trends do not guarantee future results. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with current trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that is ready for any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. It is your opportunity to explain how your impairments prevent you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the hearing.