Approval rates
Comparing judicial approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 72% approval rate for Helen O. Evans reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 50% to 89% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro. This statistical spread highlights why understanding your judge's history is a vital part of your preparation.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Evans. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Evans'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 Helen O. Evans showed an upward trend across the 636 decisions on record since January 2016. Starting at 61% in 2016, the rate moved to 73% in 2017, 80% in 2018, and reached 90% by 2019. These trends provide insight into how a judge's approach to evidence and case requirements may evolve over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Evans'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 Greensboro hearing office
Helen O. Evans's most recent SSA record (September 2019) is at the Greensboro hearing office, which serves claimants across North Carolina. This office is home to 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. While office-wide approval rates provide a general benchmark, every case is unique and depends on the specific documentation you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro, with approval rates ranging from 50% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your medical evidence and testimony.
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
Helen O. Evans has a 72% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 50% to 89% range established by the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. Her approval rate rose from 61% in 2016 to 90% by 2019 across 636 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these past patterns might relate to your upcoming hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
The 72% approval rate for Helen O. Evans is a summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
