Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Lori S. Grayson's 42% lifetime approval rate sits within the 25% to 76% range observed across the Hattiesburg bench. In the latest reporting period, her 42% approval rate compares against the office-wide rate of 50%. These figures rely on a substantial docket of 3,137 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation. 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 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, Lori S. Grayson's approval rate has shown a varied trajectory. After an initial period of relative stability, the rate saw a decline in 2019 before beginning a gradual recovery in subsequent years. The most recent data indicates the rate has held at 42%. This pattern reflects her established decision-making habits over the last decade.
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 throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 11 judges on record. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 50%, this location handles a high volume of cases requiring careful documentation. You should expect a formal proceeding where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Hattiesburg hearing office currently features 11 judges on record since 2016, with 7 judges reporting in the latest SSA data. Because the SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge; assignment is effectively random. Approval rates at this office vary significantly, ranging from 25% to 76% on a lifetime basis. 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
Lori S. Grayson's 42% lifetime approval rate is positioned within the 25% to 76% range of all judges who have served at the Hattiesburg office. In the latest reporting period, her 42% rate is 8 percentage points lower than the office-wide average of 50%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these statistical variances.
Yes, the data shows a fluctuating trend since 2016. After reaching a low of 35% in 2019, the rate trended upward to 48% in 2024 before settling at 42% in 2026. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Hattiesburg office, making the process random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench by ensuring your testimony is clear and your records are complete.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee or prediction for your specific case. While Lori S. Grayson has approved 1,306 claims out of 3,137 lifetime decisions, every case is unique. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses to improve your chances of a favorable outcome.