Approval rates
The approval rate for Donna Lefebvre is based on 3,941 decisions issued since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for comparison against the broader bench at the Knoxville hearing office, where peer judges range from 13% to 77% in their own approval records over the same period. By reviewing these statistics, you can better understand the historical context of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lefebvre. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lefebvre'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 Donna Lefebvre has shown a varied trend. After an initial peak of 74% in 2017, the rate settled into a range between 55% and 62% in recent years. With 3,941 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a significant volume of case reviews. The most recent data from 2024 shows an approval rate of 55%, which remains within the historical fluctuation observed throughout her time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lefebvre'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 Knoxville hearing office
The Knoxville hearing office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting a diverse range of decision patterns. You can expect a standard hearing process governed by federal regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Knoxville
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Knoxville hearing office, there are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 13% to 77%. While these statistics provide context, the requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Donna Lefebvre has an approval rate of 62% across 3,941 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the range of 13% to 77% observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Donna Lefebvre has fluctuated over time. It reached a high of 74% in 2017 and has more recently trended toward 55% in 2024. These variations are common in SSDI dockets, and an attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence fits into these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring impartiality. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Donna Lefebvre has approved 62% of cases since 2016, every case is unique based on the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
