Approval rates
The approval rate for Douglas Gilmer is based on 3,203 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Hattiesburg hearing office, where judges range from 25% to 76% in their approval rates over the same period. This range highlights the variance in decision-making patterns among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gilmer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gilmer'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 Douglas Gilmer has fluctuated. After starting at 56% in 2016, the rate trended upward, reaching a peak of 74% in 2022 and 2023 before shifting in the most recent data. The 240 decisions recorded in 2025 resulted in a 36% approval rate. This recent shift represents a departure from the previous multi-year trend, reflecting changes in the specific mix of cases or the evidence presented during those hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gilmer'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 Hattiesburg hearing office
Douglas Gilmer's most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, which serves claimants across Mississippi. This office is home to 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can see the Hattiesburg hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Hattiesburg hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 25% to 76%. While these figures provide context for the office, your specific outcome depends on the unique medical evidence and testimony in your file.
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
Douglas Gilmer has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 25% to 76% observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to address the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Douglas Gilmer has varied over time. While the rate reached 74% in 2022 and 2023, the most recent data from 2025 shows an approval rate of 36% across 240 decisions. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with a qualified attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely testify about your symptoms and limitations, and the judge may hear from medical or vocational experts. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
The 64% approval rate for Douglas Gilmer reflects past decisions since 2016 and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
