Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 56% approval rate for Mason Hogan reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 27% to 74% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. This docket of 3,497 decisions provides a foundation for understanding past trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hogan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
The approval rate for Mason Hogan has fluctuated over the 3,497 decisions on record since January 2016. After an initial period of variance, the trend showed a decline toward 2020 and 2021 before experiencing a recovery in more recent years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, showing a return to levels observed earlier in the record. This trend suggests that the judge's approach remains consistent with historical averages.
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 Raleigh hearing office
Mason Hogan's most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office serves you across North Carolina and operates with a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 27% to 74%. Because assignment is outside of your control, the focus should remain on the strength of your medical evidence. 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
Mason Hogan has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 27% to 74% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Mason Hogan has seen shifts over the 3,497 decisions on record since 2016, moving from 52% in 2016 to 61% in 2025. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney help you prepare a strong case for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked 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 properly presented.
The 56% approval rate for Mason Hogan is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to see if you qualify for benefits.
