Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Roger Lott has an approval rate of 58% since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 61%. This can be compared against the Tupelo office's latest-period rate of 68%, the state rate of 55%, and the national average of 58%. These figures provide context for the local bench, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your outcome.
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 Lott'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, Roger Lott has issued 3,935 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, such as 65% in 2022 and 64% in 2025, compared to 49% in 2021. The latest reporting period shows a 61% approval rate. This pattern suggests that your case outcome depends on the specific evidence and medical documentation you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lott'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 Tupelo hearing office
The Tupelo hearing office is the most recent office on record for Roger Lott as of July 2026. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%, this location handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can view the Tupelo hearing office page for the full roster of administrative law judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tupelo
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench range from 19% to 66% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Roger Lott has an approval rate of 58% since 2016, while the bench at the Tupelo office ranges from 19% to 66% on their records since 2016. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Roger Lott's approval rate has fluctuated, starting at 61% in 2016 and reaching 61% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions 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. Roger Lott's 58% rate since 2016 provides context, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively.
