Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 36% approval rate for Paula Fow Atchison reflects her decisions on record since 2017, which can be viewed alongside the 32% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix. These figures are derived from a docket of 140 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Atchison. The most recent period with decisions on record is May 26, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Atchison'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 36% approval rate for Paula Fow Atchison is based on 140 decisions on record since 2017. During this window, the approval rate remained 36% for the 2017 period. This data reflects the judge's activity during her most recent record window at the Phoenix office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Atchison'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 Phoenix hearing office
Paula Fow Atchison's most recent office on record is the Phoenix hearing office, where her last recorded decision occurred in May 2017. This office is staffed by a bench of 12 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 78% 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
Paula Fow Atchison has an approval rate of 36% based on 140 decisions on record since 2017. This sits within the 32% to 78% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
The approval rate for Paula Fow Atchison was 36% during her most recent record window of January 2017 to May 2017. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for the requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney by your side ensures your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly organized.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Paula Fow Atchison has an approval rate of 36% on record since 2017, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file before your hearing date.
