Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 49% approval rate for Todd S. Holbrook reflects all decisions on record since 2016, while the Portland ME office bench shows a range of 38% to 85% over the same period. In the most recent reporting period, the approval rate was 47%, compared to the office-wide rate of 65%. These figures provide a statistical view of past activity, though 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 Holbrook'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 Todd S. Holbrook has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 55% in 2024, the rate shifted to 47% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 4,179 total decisions on record, the pattern reflects a variety of case outcomes over the last decade. The latest period's results suggest a return toward the long-term average, though yearly variations are common in the Social Security Administration hearing process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Holbrook'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 Portland ME hearing office
Todd S. Holbrook's most recent office on record is the Portland ME hearing office, which serves claimants across Maine. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 65%. You can expect a formal hearing process governed by 20 CFR 404.929 regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland ME
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using 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 Portland ME office. Approval rates for this group range from 38% to 85% 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
Todd S. Holbrook has an approval rate of 49% across 4,179 decisions since 2016. Other judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland ME office range from 38% to 85% on their records. An attorney can help you understand how these differences might affect your case strategy.
The approval rate has seen yearly variance, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 47% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common and often depend on the specific evidence and case mix presented. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of these trends.
No, the Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a comprehensive case file is essential. An attorney can help you ensure your medical evidence meets the requirements of 20 CFR 404.1520.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you present your testimony clearly and effectively.
The 49% approval rate for Todd S. Holbrook is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
