Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 42% approval rate for Kim K. Griswold reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 42% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. In the latest reporting period, Kim K. Griswold's 56% approval rate sits 5 points below the office average of 61%. These figures provide context based on 3,375 decisions on record.
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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Kim K. Griswold has shown an upward trend. After hovering between 34% and 42% for several years, the rate began to climb in 2023, reaching 56% in the most recent partial fiscal year. This shift suggests that the latest period reflects a departure from the earlier, more conservative approval patterns observed on the record. These changes in approval frequency may reflect shifts in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented in recent hearings.
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
Kim K. Griswold's most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office, which serves claimants across western Massachusetts. This office is home to 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, and it maintains an office-wide approval rate of 61% in the latest reporting period. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MA
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is effectively random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 77% since 2016. 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% approval rate since 2016 falls at the lower end of the 42% to 77% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. While this provides a historical baseline, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Kim K. Griswold has trended upward in recent years. While the rate was 42% in 2016, it reached 56% in the most recent partial fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a 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. 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 your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and work history are the primary factors in your case. An attorney can help you evaluate how to best present your claim to address the specific standards of this judge.
