Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 50% approval rate for Anthony J. Johnson Jr. reflects performance across 3,203 decisions since 2016, which compares against the 18% to 59% range of peers at the Richmond office. This data provides a view of historical trends rather than a guarantee of future outcomes. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Johnson Jr.. 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 Johnson Jr.'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 Anthony J. Johnson Jr. has fluctuated across the 3,203 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of stability in the late 2010s, the data shows a decline in 2020 and 2021 before a recovery in 2023 and 2024. The most recent data from 2025 shows a 54% approval rate. These patterns often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented, rather than a change in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Johnson Jr.'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 Richmond hearing office
Anthony J. Johnson Jr.'s most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, which serves you across Virginia. This office is part of a regional network that handles a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision. You can see the Richmond Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 18% to 59% 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
Anthony J. Johnson Jr. has an approval rate of 50% since 2016. This sits within the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has varied over time, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching 54% in 2025, with fluctuations in the intervening years. These trends are based on 3,203 decisions on record. Understanding these historical patterns is one part of preparing your case, and an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge, and an attorney can help you navigate the process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You will likely be asked about your daily activities and the limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
The 50% approval rate for Anthony J. Johnson Jr. is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
