Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for John A. Fraser based on 2,441 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2023. The 3 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 51% to 62% on their since-2016 records.
Judge Fraser is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Fraser isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fraser'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
John A. Fraser decided 2,441 cases between 2016 and 2023. The approval rate began at 35% in 2016, reached 39% in 2017, and was 25% in 2023.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fraser'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 Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown Hearing Office is the most recent office on record for John A. Fraser as of September 2023. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
Among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown, 3 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file and range from 51% to 62% 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
John A. Fraser has a 32% approval rate on record since 2016. In comparison, the 3 judges at the Johnstown office who appear in the latest SSA file have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 51% to 62%. An attorney can help you understand how these differences might relate to your specific hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for John A. Fraser has fluctuated over time. It started at 35% in 2016, reached 39% in 2017, and was 25% in 2023. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, you should be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file. You may be asked questions about your medical conditions and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of a judge's past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the evidence and medical documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim.
