Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Richard Geib's 51% approval rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, while latest-period data offers a snapshot of current trends. This judge's performance is measured against a bench range of 34% to 66% for all judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR.
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 Geib'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 January 2016, Richard Geib has issued 3,626 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates moving from 45% in 2016 to 63% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While the rate was 40% in 2022, recent data indicates a period of higher approval activity compared to the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Geib'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 Portland OR hearing office
The Portland OR hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. This office includes a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 64%, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 34% to 66% 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
Richard Geib's 51% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 34% to 66% range established by the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR. While this provides context, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 3,626 decisions on record. After reaching a low of 40% in 2022, the rate has trended upward, reaching 63% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the Portland OR office. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Richard Geib has approved 51% of cases since 2016, but your success depends on the strength of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the requirements of the Social Security Administration.
