Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. B. Hannan's 48% approval rate since 2017 sits within the broader range of 29% to 85% observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. Because this judge has a significant docket of 2,650 decisions, the data offers a reliable look at historical patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hannan. 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 Hannan'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 B. Hannan has shown an upward trajectory in recent years. After starting at 48% in 2017, the rate fluctuated before reaching 58% in 2024 and 2025. This trend, based on 2,650 decisions since 2017, reflects a consistent pattern of higher approval rates in the most recent years of the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hannan'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 NHC Falls Church hearing office
B. Hannan's most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, with activity recorded through September 2025. This office serves the District of Columbia region and maintains a bench of 33 judges. You can expect a formal hearing process where medical documentation is the primary factor in the decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Falls Church
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the NHC Falls Church hearing office, there are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85%. While these figures vary, the process for presenting your medical evidence remains 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
B. Hannan's 48% approval rate is positioned within the 29% to 85% range of the 33 judges at this office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for B. Hannan has trended upward, moving from 48% in 2017 to 58% in 2025. This data is based on 2,650 decisions on record, and an attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the NHC Falls Church hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will be present. An attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 48% approval rate for B. Hannan is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your claim's strengths and weaknesses.
