Approval rates
Your approval rate for Theodore W. Grippo is based on 1,845 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2021. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 26% to 63% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Chicago. These numbers reflect the volume of cases handled over the period, offering a view of historical decision patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Grippo is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Grippo isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Grippo'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 39% approval rate for Theodore W. Grippo reflects a period of activity from 2016 through 2021. The data shows a fluctuating pattern, with annual approval rates reaching a high of 50% in 2018 before trending to 28% by the final year of the record. These shifts in the approval rate may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality over the 1,845 total decisions. The record provides a look at how the judge's decisions evolved during this time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grippo'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 Chicago hearing office
The NHC Chicago serves you if you are in the region. The office bench consists of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision. You can see the NHC Chicago Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Chicago, approval rates on their since-2016 records vary from 26% to 63%. This variation is common across the bench. You can find more information on the NHC Chicago Hearing Office page.
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
Theodore W. Grippo's 39% approval rate falls within the 26% to 63% range seen among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Chicago. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for the specific standards of this office.
The approval rate fluctuated during the period from 2016 through 2021, starting at 31% and reaching 50% in 2018 before ending at 28% in 2021. These variations are common and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. A qualified attorney can help you review your case strategy regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your evidence to meet the requirements of any judge.
The 39% approval rate is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
