Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data sets. Gary Elliott has a lifetime approval rate of 66% based on 382 decisions recorded since 2016. This sits within the broader Tacoma WA office range of 30% to 78% for all judges on record. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided in this office, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Elliott. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Elliott'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 Gary Elliott covers 382 decisions starting in 2016. During this period, the approval rate remained consistent at 66%. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence and disability criteria over the observed timeframe. Because the data reflects a consistent history, it offers a clear view of how the judge has historically approached cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Elliott'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 Tacoma WA hearing office
The Tacoma WA hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With 18 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains a bench that reflects a wide spectrum of decision patterns. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Tacoma WA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 30% to 78% lifetime. Your preparation remains 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
Gary Elliott has a lifetime approval rate of 66% across 382 decisions. This falls within the Tacoma WA office-wide lifetime range of 30% to 78%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
The data for Gary Elliott shows a steady approval rate of 66% over the record window starting in 2016. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your case will be viewed, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Gary Elliott has approved 66% of cases, every claim is unique and depends on the specific evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build a case tailored to the requirements of the hearing.