Approval rates
The approval rate for Richard LaFata is based on 2,494 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a view of past trends, which can be compared against the 17% to 87% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office. These statistics offer a baseline for understanding the judicial environment, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge LaFata. 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 LaFata'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 2016, the approval rate for Richard LaFata has shown variation. While the rate remained between 54% and 58% for much of the period, recent years have seen a shift, including a 64% approval rate in 2024 and 83% in 2025. With 2,494 total decisions on record, this trend reflects changes in case outcomes over time. The recent uptick may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaFata'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 Charleston SC hearing office
Richard LaFata's most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office, which serves you if you are in the region. This office is home to 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office, with an approval-rate range from 17% to 87% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, 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
Richard LaFata has an approval rate of 59% across 2,494 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 87% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While it was 51% in 2016, it reached 83% in 2025 based on 168 decisions. 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. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify and present the evidence needed to support your claim.
