Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 44% approval rate for Ronald J. Feibus reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 42% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline based on hundreds of past cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Feibus. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Feibus'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 Ronald J. Feibus remained consistent throughout his recorded window, holding steady at 44% in both 2016 and 2017. With 365 total decisions on record since 2016, this pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during his time at the Chattanooga office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Feibus'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 Chattanooga hearing office
Ronald J. Feibus's most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you across the Tennessee region and maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 82% on their since-2016 records.
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
Ronald J. Feibus has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 82% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Ronald J. Feibus remained steady at 44% throughout his recorded window from 2016 to 2017. This consistency across 365 decisions on record suggests a stable pattern in his case evaluations. A qualified attorney can help you understand how this history might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will participate. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Ronald J. Feibus approved 44% of cases on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
