Approval rates
The 53% approval rate for Ann F. MacMurray reflects her entire record since 2016. This can be measured against the 21% to 74% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Colorado Springs. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your case, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
Ann F. MacMurray has 678 decisions on record since 2016. Her annual approval rate was 70% in 2016, 54% in 2017, and 44% in 2018. This trend reflects the evolution of her decision-making pattern over the recorded window.
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 most recent office on record for Ann F. MacMurray is the Colorado Springs hearing office, where she had decisions recorded through September 2018. This office manages a diverse range of disability claims with 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 74% on their since-2016 records. The fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench regardless of which judge is assigned.
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
Ann F. MacMurray has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 74% range of approval rates for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this judge's bench.
Yes, the data shows a downward trend in approval rates over the recorded period, moving from 70% in 2016 to 44% in 2018. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
