Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the full volume of work. Since January 2016, Donna J. Grit has issued 2,149 decisions, establishing a clear statistical baseline. This rate is best understood when compared to the 43% to 88% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office. 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 Grit. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Grit'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 Donna J. Grit has shown a varied trend across the 2,149 decisions on record since January 2016. After starting at 49% in 2016, the annual approval rate fluctuated, reaching a low of 45% in 2018 before trending upward. The 2023 data, while representing a smaller volume of 44 decisions, shows an approval rate of 68%. This recent shift 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 Grit'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
Donna J. Grit's most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office, which serves you if you are in Michigan. This office currently hosts a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary significantly from 43% to 88%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Donna J. Grit has an approval rate of 51% based on 2,149 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 43% to 88% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Donna J. Grit has fluctuated over time. It began at 49% in 2016 and reached 68% in 2023, based on 44 decisions that year. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific 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, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Donna J. Grit has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends on the unique medical and vocational evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
