Approval rates
The 47% approval rate for Carmen Graves reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 44% to 80% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Graves. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Graves'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 Carmen Graves has shown a steady trend across 680 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 45% in 2016, 46% in 2017, and 50% in 2018. This progression indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation over the period of record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Graves'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 Memphis hearing office
The Memphis hearing office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 80%. Understanding the local bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
Carmen Graves has an approval rate of 47% on record since 2016. This sits within the 44% to 80% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Carmen Graves was 45% in 2016, 46% in 2017, and 50% in 2018. This trend shows a steady pattern over the period of record. If you are concerned about how your evidence will be viewed, an attorney can help you review your file.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 47% approval rate for Carmen Graves is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may strengthen your claim.
