Approval rates
The approval rate for Clinton C. Hicks is based on 2,104 decisions recorded between January 2016 and September 2021. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Charlotte office, where the 18 judges range from 29% to 83% in their approval rates on record since 2016. This range highlights how individual judicial patterns vary within the same office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hicks. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hicks'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 Clinton C. Hicks showed movement between 2016 and 2021. After an initial approval rate of 46% in 2016, the figures rose to 66% in 2018 before settling at 57% in 2021. With 2,104 total decisions on record, the data provides a consistent look at his historical decision-making. This pattern shows that while the rate fluctuated, it eventually stabilized over the final years of the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hicks'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 Charlotte hearing office
The Charlotte hearing office serves claimants across North Carolina and the surrounding region. It is home to 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. When you appear at this office, you can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Charlotte Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 83% on their records since 2016. While these figures provide context for the office, your focus should remain on the evidence supporting your specific claim. The preparation process remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Clinton C. Hicks has an approval rate of 57% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 29% to 83% seen among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Clinton C. Hicks fluctuated over the period from 2016 to 2021. It began at 46% in 2016, reached a high of 66% in 2018, and concluded at 57% in 2021. An attorney can help you analyze how these historical patterns might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 57% approval rate for Clinton C. Hicks reflects his past decisions on record since 2016, but it is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
