Approval rates
The approval rate for LaRonna Harris is based on 2,284 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Greensboro hearing office, where judges range from 50% to 89% in their since-2016 records. This range provides context for the variation in outcomes across the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Harris. 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 Harris'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, LaRonna Harris has issued 2,284 decisions. Her approval rate showed a steady trend through 2019 before shifting in 2020 and 2021. Following a 49% approval rate in 2022, the 2023 data shows a 60% approval rate. This recent shift may reflect changes in case mix or the evidence you present at your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harris'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 Greensboro hearing office
LaRonna Harris's most recent office on record is the Greensboro hearing office, with decisions there through September 2023. This office serves the North Carolina region and maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greensboro
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Greensboro hearing office, there are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 50% to 89% on their since-2016 records.
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
LaRonna Harris has an approval rate of 60% based on 2,284 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 50% to 89% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Greensboro hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for LaRonna Harris has fluctuated. After a period of relative stability from 2016 to 2019, the rate shifted in 2020 and 2021, reached 49% in 2022, and returned to 60% in 2023. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your specific claim.
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, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
