Approval rates
The 65% approval rate for Odell Grooms reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 39% to 80% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office bench. 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 Grooms. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Grooms'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 Odell Grooms has fluctuated across the 854 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate remained relatively consistent through 2020, the data shows more variability in recent years, including a lower volume of decisions in 2024 and 2025. This pattern highlights the importance of focusing on the specific evidence and medical documentation presented in your own file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grooms'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 Sacramento hearing office
Odell Grooms' most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, which serves you if you are in the California region. This office is staffed by 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 39% to 80%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the local bench is a helpful step in your preparation.
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
Odell Grooms has an approval rate of 65% across 854 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 39% to 80% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Odell Grooms has shown variation over the years, starting at 67% in 2016 and reaching 65% overall across 854 decisions. While yearly percentages have shifted, these figures represent past trends rather than a fixed rule for your future case. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Sacramento hearing office. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, your work history, and how your symptoms limit your ability to function. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
