Approval rates
The 62% approval rate for James B. Griffith covers all 191 decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 40% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Griffith. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Griffith isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over one period, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Griffith'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 James B. Griffith shifted between 2016 and 2018. The rate was 52% in 2016, 70% in 2017, and 71% in 2018. This trend reflects the outcomes across the 191 decisions on record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Griffith'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 NHC St Louis hearing office
James B. Griffith's most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, which serves claimants in Missouri and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC St Louis
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Six of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file.
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
James B. Griffith's 62% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 40% to 79% range seen among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively before this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for James B. Griffith rose from 52% in 2016 to 71% by 2018. This shift is based on 191 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge by working with a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you are likely to face.
An approval rate is a historical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how James B. Griffith will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
