Approval rates
The approval rates for Lori S. Grayson are calculated based on 3,137 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing these figures, look at the bench's since-2016 range of 25% to 76% to understand the broader context of the Hattiesburg hearing office. Latest-period data shows the judge's approval rate is 8 points lower than the office average of 50%. These aggregate rates reflect past decisions rather than individual case outcomes.
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 Grayson'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, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated, moving from 46% in 2017 to a low of 35% in 2019 before reaching 48% in 2024. The latest period shows a rate of 42%, which aligns with the overall average on record. This pattern suggests that while annual approval rates vary, the judge maintains a consistent approach to the evidence presented in disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grayson'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
The Hattiesburg hearing office serves claimants across Mississippi and is one of the primary locations for regional disability hearings. The office bench consists of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 50%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 25% to 76% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains consistent 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
Lori S. Grayson has an approval rate of 42% since 2016, which sits within the 25% to 76% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg. Comparing individual judges can be complex, so an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Lori S. Grayson has fluctuated over the years, starting at 46% in 2017 and reaching 42% in the latest reporting period. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence provided. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures the process remains random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, your work history, and how your impairments limit your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 42% approval rate for Lori S. Grayson represents past decisions and is not a prediction of how your specific case will be decided. Every claim is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
