Approval rates
The approval rate for Paula Fow Atchison is based on 140 lifetime decisions. Within the Phoenix hearing office, the lifetime approval rates for the 12 judges on record range from 32% to 78%. These figures offer a view of the office's historical decision-making landscape.
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 record for Paula Fow Atchison covers her activity in 2017. During this period, her approval rate was 36%. This data reflects her decision-making over the course of her recorded activity.
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
The Phoenix hearing office serves you if you are in Arizona. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges on record, reflecting a range of experience and decision-making patterns. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office, and approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 32% to 78%.
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 a lifetime approval rate of 36%, which sits within the broader office range of 32% to 78%. Because every judge has a unique approach to evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
The data for Paula Fow Atchison shows an approval rate of 36% during her recorded window. If you are concerned about how this pattern impacts your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
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 present your case effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Paula Fow Atchison has a 36% lifetime approval rate, your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical documentation. An attorney can help you determine if your evidence meets the necessary standards.