Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 42% approval rate for Bryan Henry covers all decisions since 2017, while the latest-period figures provide a snapshot of recent activity. At the Colorado Springs hearing office, the bench shows a wide range of approval outcomes, from 21% to 74% on record. These figures are based on 3,487 decisions, providing a stable data set for your review.
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 Henry'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 Bryan Henry has shown notable shifts across the 3,487 decisions on record since 2017. Following a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2022, the data indicates a clear upward trend starting in 2023. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 48%, which sits above the office-wide latest-period rate of 34%. This recent pattern reflects a shift in outcomes compared to the period between 2017 and 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Henry'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
Bryan Henry's most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 10 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 34%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, and 4 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 74% on record.
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
Bryan Henry has an approval rate of 42% on record since 2017. This sits within the 21% to 74% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Bryan Henry has fluctuated over time. After a period of lower rates from 2018 to 2022, the data shows an increase in approvals beginning in 2023. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Regardless of the judge assigned, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 42% approval rate for Bryan Henry is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
