Approval rates
The approval rate for Nikki Hall is based on 1,765 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Morgantown hearing office, where judges range from 21% to 67% in their approval rates over the same period. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how different judges approach their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hall. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hall'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 Nikki Hall has shown a declining trend. Starting at 33% in 2016, the rate moved to 25% in 2017, 21% in 2018, 15% in 2019, 16% in 2020, and 12% in 2021. This pattern reflects the judge's history across 1,765 total decisions on record. The data indicates a consistent shift in outcomes over this five-year window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hall'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 Morgantown hearing office
Nikki Hall's most recent office on record is the Morgantown hearing office, with decisions there through September 2021. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown
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, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 67%. While the judge assigned to your case is outside of your control, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent.
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
Nikki Hall's 21% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the lower end of the range for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown, where rates vary from 21% to 67%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Nikki Hall has trended downward from 33% in 2016 to 12% in 2021 across 1,765 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Nikki Hall's 21% rate on record since 2016 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
