Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 56% approval rate for David L. Knowles reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can evaluate against the 27% to 66% range of his peers at the Little Rock office over that same period. This comparison provides a clearer picture of how his decisions align with the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Knowles. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Knowles'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 David L. Knowles has fluctuated across his 2,200 decisions on record since 2016. After a 53% approval rate in 2016, the figures were 60% in 2017, 56% in 2018, 58% in 2019, and 50% in 2020. These variations often stem from changes in the specific types of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Knowles'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 Little Rock hearing office
The Little Rock hearing office serves you if you are in Arkansas or parts of the surrounding region. With 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where the strength of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Little Rock Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock office, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 66% on their records since 2016. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is a helpful step in your preparation.
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
David L. Knowles maintains a 56% approval rate on his record since 2016. This sits within the 27% to 66% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case.
Yes, the approval rate for David L. Knowles has fluctuated over his 2,200 decisions on record. While he reached a high of 60% in 2017, the rate was 50% in 2020. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot pick your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 56% approval rate for David L. Knowles is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your hearing. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
