Approval rates
Understanding how a judge's approval rate compares to their peers provides helpful context for your hearing. The 62% approval rate for Darrell Fun is based on 1,531 decisions on record. When compared to the 29% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte Hearing Office, you can see the variance in decision-making patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Fun. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fun'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 approval rate for Darrell Fun has shown fluctuation since 2017. After starting at 61% in 2017, the rate reached 70% in 2020 before settling at 62% in 2021. With 1,531 total decisions on record, these trends reflect the approach to varying case types and evidence quality over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fun'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 Charlotte hearing office
Darrell Fun's most recent office on record is the Charlotte Hearing Office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves claimants across North Carolina and is part of a region with a diverse bench of 18 judges. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 71%, your individual outcome depends on the specific facts of your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 83%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Darrell Fun has an approval rate of 62% based on 1,531 decisions on record. This places the judge within the 29% to 83% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Darrell Fun has fluctuated, moving from 61% in 2017 to a high of 70% in 2020, before returning to 62% in 2021. These variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you navigate the process 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. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide to support your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
