Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 50% approval rate for Thomas S. Inman reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 31% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver Hearing Office. This statistical spread highlights why understanding your specific judge's history is a vital part of your preparation.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Inman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Inman'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 1,294 decisions on record for Thomas S. Inman since 2016 show a steady pattern of approval. After an initial approval rate of 49% in 2016 and 47% in 2017, the rate increased to 53% in both 2018 and 2019. This trend indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Inman'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
Thomas S. Inman's most recent office on record is the Denver Hearing Office, which serves you across Colorado and the surrounding region. This office is staffed by a bench of 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
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. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the hearing room, understanding the broader bench is helpful.
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
Thomas S. Inman has an approval rate of 50% on his 1,294 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 31% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Thomas S. Inman has remained relatively steady, moving from 49% in 2016 to 53% by 2019. This consistency is based on his 1,294 decisions on record during that window. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your 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. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assignment.
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 how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Thomas S. Inman approved 50% of his 1,294 decisions on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
