Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's overall approval rate since 2016 is 59%, his latest-period approval rate is 50%, which is 15 percentage points below the Greensboro office's latest-period average of 65%. These figures are derived from a docket of 2,082 decisions.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Firestone'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 Scott C. Firestone has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 72% in 2017, the rate has trended downward, reaching 50% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This 2,082-decision record reflects a shift over time, which may be influenced by changes in the evidence presented in your case or the specific types of claims assigned to the docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Firestone'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
Scott C. Firestone's most recent office on record is the Greensboro hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across North Carolina. With 16 judges on the bench, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Greensboro office. Approval rates among this bench range from 50% to 89% 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
Judge Firestone's 59% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 50% to 89% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro. Comparing his latest-period rate of 50% to the office average of 65% shows he is currently deciding cases at a lower rate than his peers. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns over time. While he maintained higher approval rates in 2017 at 72%, his rate has declined to 50% in the most recent partial fiscal year. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy in light of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with a qualified attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you navigate this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
