Approval rates
The approval rate for Brian Garves is based on 3,108 decisions since 2016. When compared to the bench at the Columbia SC hearing office, where judges range from 50% to 81% in their approval rates on record, his figures provide a clear view of his historical decision-making. These statistics are intended to help you understand the context of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Garves. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Garves'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 approval rate for Brian Garves has shown an upward trend. While his decisions from 2016 to 2019 ranged from 51% to 54%, the data shows an increase in approvals starting in 2020. By 2023, the rate reached 74%, with the most recent data from 2024 showing a rate of 70%. This pattern reflects the outcomes over the last several years of his record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Garves'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 Columbia SC hearing office
Brian Garves's most recent office on record is the Columbia SC hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. This office serves claimants across South Carolina. The bench at this office consists of 12 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbia SC
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Columbia SC hearing office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 50% to 81%. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Brian Garves has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This places him within the 50% to 81% range seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbia SC hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. After starting at 51% in 2016, his approval rate climbed to 74% in 2023 before settling at 70% in 2024. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, the Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot request a specific judge, which is why preparing a strong, evidence-based case is essential. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the criteria for disability benefits.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
