Approval rates
The approval rates for Henry Hamilton are calculated based on 3,677 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing these figures to the broader bench at the Des Moines hearing office, where approval rates range from 37% to 70%, the data provides a view of historical trends. Latest-period data shows the judge currently maintains an 83% approval rate, which sits 30 points above the office's latest-period rate of 53%.
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 Hamilton'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 Henry Hamilton has shown a generally rising trend. While the rate fluctuated between 60% and 73% in the earlier years of the record, the most recent data indicates a shift toward higher approval levels, reaching 83% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance represents a divergence from the 68% average maintained across the full 3,677 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hamilton'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 Des Moines hearing office
The Des Moines hearing office is the most recent office on record for Henry Hamilton as of July 2026. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges who manage disability hearings. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period is 53%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Des Moines
The Social Security Administration utilizes 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 the Des Moines hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 70% since 2016.
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
Henry Hamilton has an approval rate of 68% on record since 2016, which sits within the 37% to 70% range of the other judges at the Des Moines office. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might affect your specific case.
Yes, the approval rate for Henry Hamilton has trended upward over the last decade. While he began the 2016-2026 window with a 60% approval rate, his latest-period performance is 83%. A qualified attorney can help you prepare evidence that aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing before any judge assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are historical data points and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Because Henry Hamilton has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016, an attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim and prepare accordingly.
