Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the since-2016 record provides a broad view of history, the latest-period data offers a snapshot of current trends. The Richmond bench shows a wide range of outcomes, and the 18% record sits within this local context. 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 Knight'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
Since December 2016, the approval rate for Suzette Knight has fluctuated across 3,119 decisions on record. After an initial period of higher approvals, the rate shifted downward before showing recent variability. The latest-period approval rate of 16% remains consistent with the broader pattern observed in recent years. This trend reflects the specific approach to case evidence and testimony, which can vary significantly from one hearing to the next.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Knight'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
Suzette Knight's most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 13 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 45%. You can expect a formal hearing environment where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the decision.
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 this one, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for these judges range from 18% to 59% 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
Suzette Knight has an 18% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the lower end of the 18% to 59% range seen among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Suzette Knight has seen fluctuations over the 3,119 decisions on record since December 2016. While the rate was 27% in 2017, it has adjusted over time to 16% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. A judge's decision is based on the unique evidence and legal arguments presented in your case. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
