Approval rates
The approval rates for this office reflect a range of outcomes across the bench, with lifetime records spanning from 50% to 89%. Because the SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, your assignment is effectively random, making it important to understand the broader context of the Greensboro office. These figures provide a baseline for what has occurred in past hearings, though they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your claim.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Graham. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Graham'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
E. Norman Graham has maintained a consistent record of approvals across the 1,216 decisions documented between 2016 and 2019. The data shows an upward trend, beginning at 86% in 2016 and reaching 91% by 2019. This pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence and medical documentation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Graham'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Greensboro hearing office
The Greensboro hearing office serves you throughout North Carolina, operating as part of the regional SSA network. With 16 judges on record, the office handles a high volume of disability claims using a standardized hearing process. You can expect a formal environment where medical evidence and vocational testimony are central to the proceedings. You can see the Greensboro Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Greensboro hearing office is staffed by 16 judges on record since 2016, 8 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Because cases are distributed randomly, you have no control over which judge is assigned to your hearing. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, reflecting the diverse ways different judges weigh evidence.
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
E. Norman Graham has a lifetime approval rate of 89% across 1,216 decisions, placing him at the higher end of the 50% to 89% range seen among the 16 judges on record at the Greensboro office. While this rate is notable, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
Yes, the data shows a trend in E. Norman Graham's approval rate, which moved from 86% in 2016 to 91% in 2019. This performance over 1,216 decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency and fairness. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While E. Norman Graham's 89% lifetime rate provides context, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you meet the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your claim.