Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While Gentry C.M. Hogan has a 73% approval rate across all decisions on record since 2017, recent performance shows a 78% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 22 points above the office average of 56%, 21 points above the state average of 57%, and 20 points above the national average of 58%. These figures provide a statistical view of past performance, but aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Hogan'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 December 2017, Gentry C.M. Hogan has issued 2,967 decisions. The yearly approval trend has remained relatively steady, with an 87% approval rate in 2018 shifting to 77% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While there was a dip to 64% in 2021, the rate has generally stabilized in the low-to-mid 70s range. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, suggesting that the approach to evidence and case requirements has remained consistent over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hogan'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 Kingsport hearing office
The Kingsport Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 56%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where evidence quality and medical documentation are central to the outcome. You can see the Kingsport Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
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 Kingsport office, and 8 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 41% to 88% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Gentry C.M. Hogan has a 73% approval rate on record since 2017. This sits within the 41% to 88% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kingsport office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Gentry C.M. Hogan's approval rate has shown a steady pattern since 2017, starting at 87% in 2018 and reaching 77% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While there was some fluctuation, the rate has remained consistent in recent years. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
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. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Gentry C.M. Hogan's 73% rate since 2017 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you review your case to ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
