Approval rates
We evaluate the lifetime approval rate of 51% against the broader NHC Chicago office-wide range of 29% to 61%. In the most recent reporting period, the 62% approval rate sits 8 percentage points above the Illinois state average and 4 points above the national average. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical baseline for the office.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fuller'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 Roxanne Fuller spans 3,539 lifetime decisions starting in 2016. Her approval trend shows a rise in recent years, moving from 51% in 2016 to a 62% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This shift reflects a pattern of higher allowance rates compared to her earlier career data.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fuller'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the NHC Chicago hearing office
The NHC Chicago hearing office serves you throughout the Illinois region. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges on record, reflecting a wide spectrum of decision-making patterns. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality remains the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 61% over their respective careers.
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
Roxanne Fuller's 51% lifetime approval rate sits within the 29% to 61% range observed across the 14 judges on record at the NHC Chicago office. Because case assignment is random, your outcome depends more on the specific evidence in your file than on the judge's office-wide ranking. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with this judge's history.
Yes, the data shows a trend of increasing approval rates, rising from 51% in 2016 to 62% in the most recent reporting period. This movement is based on 3,539 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to current standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Since you cannot choose your judge, you should focus on building a strong case that meets the necessary disability criteria.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a historical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Roxanne Fuller has approved 51% of cases over her 3,539 lifetime decisions, your success depends on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present your strongest case.