Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Paul Goodson holds a 52% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 29% to 83% range of other judges at the Charlotte office. In the most recent reporting period, the 53% approval rate is compared against the office's 71%, the state's 65%, and the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a significant docket of 3,117 decisions on record. These aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Goodson'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, Paul Goodson has issued 3,117 decisions on record. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with approval rates moving from 57% in 2017 to a high of 68% in 2023 before reaching 53% in the most recent partial year of 2026. This pattern indicates that while the approach has shifted over time, the latest period reflects a continuation of a more moderate approval trend. These variations often stem from changes in the specific types of cases or evidence presented to the court.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Goodson'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 Charlotte hearing office
The Charlotte hearing office serves you across North Carolina and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 18 judges have their most recent office on record here, with an office-wide approval rate of 71% in the latest period. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Charlotte Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte office, and 9 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 29% to 83% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Paul Goodson has a 52% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 29% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to this specific judge.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 57% in 2017 and reaching 53% in the most recent partial year of 2026. These shifts are common and can be influenced by changes in the complexity of cases assigned to the bench. An attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you ensure your case is presented clearly and professionally.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your functional limitations. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
