Approval rates
The approval rate for George L. Evans III is 62% based on 1,297 decisions on record since 2016. Within the Kingsport office, the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location show approval rates ranging from 41% to 88%. These figures reflect past activity rather than a prediction for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Evans III. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Evans III'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
Since 2016, George L. Evans III has maintained a 62% approval rate across 1,297 decisions. Yearly performance has varied, with an 80% approval rate in 2017 and a 60% rate in 2025. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific evidence and vocational factors presented in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Evans III'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 Kingsport hearing office
The most recent office on record for George L. Evans III is Kingsport, with decisions there through September 2025. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can review the Kingsport hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 88%. Regardless of your assigned judge, your focus remains on presenting the evidence required for your claim.
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
George L. Evans III has a 62% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport, approval rates range from 41% to 88%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for George L. Evans III has fluctuated, starting at 62% in 2016 and reaching 60% in 2025. These variations are common and may reflect changes in case complexity. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Your best approach is to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
