Approval rates
Comparing judicial performance requires looking at consistent data windows. Manley's 40% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 27% to 66% range of the 16 other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. This range provides a clear picture of how different judicial approaches impact case outcomes within the same office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Manley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Manley'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 506 decisions on record since 2016 show a steady pattern in approval outcomes. In 2016, the approval rate was 39% over 346 decisions, followed by 42% over 280 decisions in 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during the period for which data is available.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Manley'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 Little Rock hearing office
David J. Manley's most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves claimants across Arkansas. With 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench reflects a variety of decision-making patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 66% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Manley's 40% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 27% to 66% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of the judge assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for Manley has remained relatively steady, moving from 39% in 2016 to 42% in 2017. These figures are based on 506 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Manley has a 40% approval rate on record since 2016, your success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
