Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 66% approval rate on record since 2016 reflects a consistent history of decisions. When viewed alongside the 27% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, the data provides a clear picture of the local bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Fowler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fowler'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
Since 2016, the judge has maintained a steady approval pattern with 1,958 total decisions on record. Yearly data shows the rate remained relatively consistent, fluctuating between 62% and 68% throughout the period. This stability suggests a reliable approach to evaluating evidence. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, which helps you understand how the judge has historically approached disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fowler'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 Little Rock hearing office
Wendell C. Fowler's most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, which serves claimants across Arkansas. This office is part of a broader regional network that handles a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Little Rock Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 66%. This variance highlights why thorough case preparation is essential regardless of your specific assignment.
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 Fowler's 66% approval rate is at the higher end of the range for the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, where rates vary from 27% to 66%. While this data is informative, every case is unique. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with this judge's history.
The approval rate for Judge Fowler has remained steady, with a 66% approval rate on record since 2016. Yearly performance has consistently stayed within a narrow band, indicating a stable decision-making pattern over the years. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength 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, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational expert or medical professional will be present to discuss your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you may face during this process.
The 66% approval rate on record since 2016 provides context on past decisions, but it is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
