Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 34% approval rate for Michael Gilbert reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 30% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gilbert. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gilbert'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 Michael Gilbert shows a decline over the period of his record, which spans from January 2016 to September 2017. In 2016, the approval rate was 44% across 149 decisions, while in 2017, the rate was 27% across 182 decisions. This trend indicates a change in the frequency of allowances during the time his decisions were recorded at the Tacoma office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gilbert'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 Tacoma hearing office
Michael Gilbert's most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves the region of Washington and maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because assignment is outside of your control, understanding the broader bench is helpful.
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
Michael Gilbert has an approval rate of 34% based on 262 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 30% to 78% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate over the recorded period. It moved from 44% in 2016 to 27% in 2017. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Regardless of the judge assigned, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. 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 organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
