Approval rates
Judge Howard maintains a 63% lifetime approval rate, which falls within the 41% to 88% range seen across the Kingsport bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 65% approval rate outperformed the office average of 56% by 9 percentage points. These figures are based on a docket of 5,161 lifetime decisions. 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 Howard'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 decision pattern for Judge Howard has remained relatively steady since 2016. While there have been minor fluctuations in annual approval rates, his record shows a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. The latest reporting period shows a 65% approval rate, which aligns with his long-term historical performance. This stability suggests a predictable approach to evidence, though your case is evaluated on its own unique medical and vocational merits.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Howard'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Kingsport hearing office
The Kingsport hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a key venue for Social Security disability hearings in Tennessee. The office maintains a bench of 15 judges who manage a high volume of cases to ensure timely processing. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 56%, you should focus on building a robust medical record. You can see the Kingsport Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Kingsport hearing office features 15 judges on record since 2016, with 8 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. Because the Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 88% on a lifetime basis. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Judge Howard has a lifetime approval rate of 63%, which sits within the broader office range of 41% to 88%. In the most recent period, his 65% approval rate is 9 percentage points higher than the Kingsport office average of 56%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might influence your hearing strategy.
Judge Howard's approval rate has remained steady over his record of 5,161 decisions dating back to 2016. While annual rates have fluctuated between 58% and 67%, the latest period of 65% is consistent with his long-term performance. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the Kingsport office. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards this judge expects.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your functional limitations. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to support your claim.