Approval rates
The 67% approval rate for Michael Hazel reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 40% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. With 523 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hazel. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Hazel isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over one period, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hazel'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 Michael Hazel was 65% across 359 decisions in 2016 and 69% across 256 decisions in 2017. These 523 total decisions on record since 2016 indicate a consistent approach to case evaluation. The slight shift between these two years reflects the natural variation in case evidence and testimony that occurs in any hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hazel'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 St Louis hearing office
Michael Hazel's most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal process where medical evidence and vocational testimony are central to the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 79% on their since-2016 records. While the specific judge matters, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Michael Hazel has an approval rate of 67% based on 523 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 79% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Your approval rate was 65% in 2016 and 69% in 2017. This indicates a relatively steady pattern across the 523 decisions on record. If you are concerned about how your case will be evaluated, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated, random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building the strongest possible case with an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is fully developed before your hearing date.
