Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Frank L. Gregori reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 47% to 75% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from thousands of cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gregori. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gregori'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 Frank L. Gregori has fluctuated across the 2,650 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 56% in 2016, the rate reached 71% in 2024. This pattern reflects changes in the volume of allowances over the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gregori'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 Nashville hearing office
The Nashville hearing office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2024, this office has been a primary location for processing your disability hearings. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a significant volume of cases.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 47% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge maintains their own approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the local bench is helpful.
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
Frank L. Gregori has an approval rate of 61% on record since 2016. This sits within the 47% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has varied over time. After starting at 56% in 2016, the rate reached 71% in 2024. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may 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 records.
The 61% approval rate for Frank L. Gregori represents a historical average, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
