Approval rates
The 46% approval rate for John A. Henderson reflects his performance across 679 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the broader range of 24% to 88% observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Henderson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Henderson'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 John A. Henderson was 50% in 2016, 50% in 2017, 44% in 2018, and 48% in 2019. These 679 decisions on record since 2016 provide a view of his decision-making history during that period. Yearly fluctuations in approval rates are common and often reflect changes in the specific evidence or medical documentation presented in the cases assigned to a judge.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Henderson'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 Dallas North hearing office
John A. Henderson's most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office, where he recorded decisions through September 2019. This office serves the North Texas region and is part of a larger network of hearing locations that handle a high volume of SSDI claims. With a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a diverse range of decision patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. Because case assignment is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
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
John A. Henderson has an approval rate of 46% on his 679 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office, approval rates range from 24% to 88%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for John A. Henderson was 50% in 2016 and 2017, followed by 44% in 2018 and 48% in 2019. These figures are based on his 679 decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of the judge you are assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While John A. Henderson has a 46% approval rate on his 679 decisions on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
