Approval rates
The approval rate for Chris L. Gavras is based on 967 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Phoenix North hearing office, where judges' approval rates range from 28% to 72% on their records since 2016. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding the judge's historical decision-making patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gavras. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gavras'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 data for Chris L. Gavras shows an upward trend in approval rates between 2016 and 2018. Starting at 63% in 2016, the rate rose to 76% in 2017 and reached 79% in 2018. This pattern across 967 total decisions suggests a shift in outcomes over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gavras'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 Phoenix North hearing office
Chris L. Gavras's most recent office on record is the Phoenix North hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves you if you are in the Arizona region and maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can generally expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Phoenix North hearing office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a wide variance in their approval rates, ranging from 28% to 72% on their records since 2016.
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 Gavras has an approval rate of 72% on his record since 2016. This is at the top of the range for the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North, where rates vary from 28% to 72%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. The approval rate was 63% in 2016, rose to 76% in 2017, and reached 79% in 2018. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, a free case review can provide clarity. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any ALJ assigned to your case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 72% approval rate on record for Judge Gavras reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on your medical evidence and the strength of your claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
