Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Kim K. Griswold maintains a 42% lifetime approval rate, recent data shows a 56% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure sits 5 points below the Springfield MA office average of 61%. With over 3,000 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of the judge's history. These figures reflect a shift in recent decision-making patterns.
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 Griswold'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 trend for Kim K. Griswold has shown a steady upward trajectory in recent years. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021, the numbers have consistently climbed, reaching 56% in the most recent reporting period. This shift suggests that the judge's recent decision-making reflects a different pattern than the earlier years of the record. This recent uptick may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Griswold'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 Springfield MA hearing office
The Springfield MA hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 9 judges on record, the office maintains an active docket and a wide range of judicial approaches. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, providing a benchmark for the local environment. You can see the Springfield MA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Springfield MA hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. The lifetime approval rates across this bench range from 42% to 77%. 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
Kim K. Griswold's 42% lifetime approval rate sits at the lower end of the 42% to 77% range observed among the 9 judges on record at the Springfield MA office. Comparing latest-period data, the judge's 56% approval rate is 5 points lower than the office average of 61%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to address these specific trends.
Yes, the data shows a clear upward trend in recent years. After reaching a low of 34% in 2021, the approval rate has increased annually, reaching 56% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you evaluate how your case evidence aligns with these recent shifts in decision-making.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions you are likely to face in the courtroom.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Kim K. Griswold's 42% lifetime rate provides context, your case's success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards for approval.