Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. His 54% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 48% to 60% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, his 52% approval rate compares to a 55% rate for the office, a 49% rate for the state, and a 58% national average. These figures reflect historical trends rather than individual case outcomes.
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 Jordan'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
Judge Jordan has issued 4,090 decisions since 2016. After a peak of 59% in 2017, the approval rate saw a decline to 44% in 2021 before stabilizing near 50% to 52% in recent years. The latest period rate of 52% reflects a continuation of this steady pattern. These shifts often correlate with changes in the complexity of cases or the specific medical evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jordan'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office serves claimants throughout the region and maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office recorded a 55% approval rate during the latest reporting period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 48% to 60% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent 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 Jordan's 54% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 48% to 60% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. While this places him in the middle of his peers, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of Judge Jordan's courtroom.
Yes, the data shows some variance over time. After reaching 59% in 2017, his approval rate shifted to 44% in 2021 and has remained steady between 50% and 52% since 2022. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for the hearing regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Factors like the quality of your medical evidence and your work history are far more influential than a judge's historical average. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
