Approval rates
When evaluating a judge's record, it is helpful to compare figures from the same timeframes. Jeffrey N. Holappa's 54% approval rate since 2017 reflects a significant volume of cases. In the most recent reporting period, his 59% approval rate is 2 points below the Denver office average of 61%, and 7 points above the Colorado state average of 52%.
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 Holappa'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 2017, Jeffrey N. Holappa has maintained a consistent pattern across 3,111 decisions. His yearly approval rates have fluctuated, starting at 42% in 2017 and reaching 59% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This trend shows a steady approach to case evaluation, with the most recent period reflecting an increase compared to his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Holappa'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 Denver hearing office
Jeffrey N. Holappa's most recent office on record is the Denver Hearing Office. This office hosts a bench of 22 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary driver of your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Across the Denver bench, approval rates for the 22 judges with records since 2016 range from 31% to 75%. For your preparation, the guidance 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
Jeffrey N. Holappa's 54% approval rate on record since 2017 sits within the broader range of 31% to 75% seen across the Denver bench. While his latest-period rate of 59% is slightly below the office average of 61%, your individual outcome depends heavily on the specific medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeffrey N. Holappa has shifted over time, moving from 42% in 2017 to 59% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This variation is common and often reflects changes in the types of cases or the strength of evidence provided in those years. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
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. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented to the judge.
