Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data sets. At the Colorado Springs hearing office, the lifetime approval rates for judges on record range from 21% to 74%. This variation highlights why understanding the local bench is important for your claim. With 678 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past outcomes. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your specific hearing outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge MacMurray. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge MacMurray'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 record for Ann F. MacMurray spans from 2016 to 2018, covering 678 total decisions. Her yearly trend shows a shift in approval frequency, moving from 70% in 2016 to 44% by 2018. This trend suggests that her recent decisions became more selective, which may reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented. Understanding this pattern helps you prepare a more robust case file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge MacMurray'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
The Colorado Springs hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 10 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 34%, providing a baseline for local proceedings. You can expect a formal environment where medical documentation and vocational testimony are prioritized. For more information on the local judiciary, see the Colorado Springs Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom are reported in the latest period. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 21% to 74%, the judge you draw can influence the hearing process. You can find more information on the Colorado Springs Hearing Office page.
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 MacMurray holds a 53% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the broader office range of 21% to 74%. While she is one of 10 judges on record at this office, her specific rate is a reflection of her individual docket. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the standards of this specific judge.
Yes, the data shows a shift in her approval patterns between 2016 and 2018. Her rate moved from 70% in 2016 to 44% in 2018, indicating a more selective approach in her later recorded decisions. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal administrative proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. The judge's goal is to determine if your condition meets the strict criteria for disability. Having an attorney can help you navigate these proceedings and ensure your testimony is clear.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While a 53% rate provides context for Judge MacMurray's past decisions, your success depends on the unique medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths against the requirements of the law.