Approval rates
The following table compares the performance of William C. Grayson against broader benchmarks, using data from the most recent reporting period. While his lifetime approval rate stands at 43%, recent trends provide a snapshot of current decision-making patterns. These figures are derived from a significant docket of 3,407 lifetime decisions, providing a stable foundation for analysis. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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, the record for William C. Grayson shows a steady approval pattern with minor annual fluctuations. After reaching a low of 37% in 2021, the approval rate has shown signs of stabilization, landing at 45% in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure sits 4 points below the Hattiesburg office's latest-period rate of 50%. The current trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation that has remained relatively stable over the last several years.
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 residents across Mississippi and the surrounding region. With a bench of 11 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 50%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Hattiesburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Hattiesburg hearing office features 11 judges on record since 2016, 7 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Because the SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge, and the assignment is essentially random. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 25% to 76% on lifetime records. You can review the office's overall performance to understand the local environment.
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
The lifetime approval rate of 43% for William C. Grayson sits within the broader office range of 25% to 76%. While his latest-period approval rate of 46% is 4 points lower than the office-wide average of 50%, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for William C. Grayson has fluctuated over his record, which dates back to 2016. After a period of lower approval rates around 2021, his recent decisions have trended toward 45%. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your case, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to your specific medical profile.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Hattiesburg office. Because you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, work history, and the specific limitations caused by your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While William C. Grayson has approved 43% of the 3,407 cases on his record, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your documentation that might strengthen your case.