Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data windows to ensure accuracy. The 42% approval rate for Deborah Foresman is based on 1,859 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than individual case outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Foresman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Foresman'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 trend for Deborah Foresman shows variation across the 1,859 decisions on record since 2016. After maintaining rates near 49% in 2019, the data shows a decline in the following years, with the rate reaching 34% by 2022. These fluctuations are common in administrative dockets and often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Foresman'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 Richmond hearing office
Deborah Foresman's most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. This office hosts a bench of 13 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 59% 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
Deborah Foresman has an approval rate of 42% based on 1,859 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 18% to 59% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns over time. While the rate was 49% in 2016, it moved to 34% by 2022 across the 1,859 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you build a stronger case by understanding these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears 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 these questions and organize your evidence.
The 42% approval rate for Deborah Foresman reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
