Approval rates
The approval rates for Raymond M. Lykins are calculated based on 788 decisions on record since 2023. When evaluating these figures, compare the performance against the broader bench at the Atlanta Downtown hearing office, where approval rates for judges range from 23% to 86%. Latest-period data shows the judge at 60%, compared to the office-wide latest-period rate of 66%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Lykins'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 2023, Raymond M. Lykins has maintained a consistent volume of decisions, with an approval rate that has trended from 53% in 2024 to 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This pattern reflects the evolution in case outcomes over the 788 decisions on record. The latest-period approval rate of 60% sits above the national average of 58%, indicating a steady alignment with broader trends.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lykins'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 Atlanta Downtown hearing office
Raymond M. Lykins's most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office, which serves you if you are in Georgia. This office hosts a bench of 22 judges who manage a high volume of disability hearings. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 66%, providing a regional benchmark for your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta Downtown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office, 9 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 23% to 86%. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Judge Lykins has an approval rate of 58% since 2023. This falls within the 23% to 86% range seen among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Lykins has shown a trend, moving from 53% in 2024 to 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 58% approval rate for Judge Lykins reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
