Approval rates
The approval rate for Hallie E. Larsen is based on 3,095 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo hearing office, approval rates range from 46% to 72%. These statistics offer a baseline for understanding the hearing environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Larsen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Larsen'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 Hallie E. Larsen has shown variation since 2016, starting at 41% and reaching a peak of 53% in 2017. Following that period, the rate remained relatively steady before seeing a decline in recent years, with 42% approval in 2022 and 2023. This pattern reflects the judge's history across 3,095 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Larsen'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 Fargo hearing office
The Fargo hearing office is the most recent office on record for Hallie E. Larsen as of September 2023. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Individual outcomes depend on the specific evidence presented in your case.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fargo
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 46% to 72%. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent.
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
Hallie E. Larsen has an approval rate of 46% since 2016. This places her at the lower end of the range for the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fargo hearing office, where rates vary from 46% to 72%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to address these differences.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated. After an initial approval rate of 41% in 2016, it rose to 53% in 2017 before trending toward 42% in recent years. This data is based on 3,095 decisions on record. An attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this judge.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any ALJ assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will be present. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly organized for the judge.
