Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While the judge has a 61% approval rate across the 3,392 decisions on record since 2016, recent performance is measured against the latest reporting period. In that latest period, the judge maintained a 68% approval rate, which is 2 points above the Greenville office average of 66%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than individual case outcomes.
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 Martin'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, your approval rate for James M. Martin has varied, moving from 51% in 2016 to a peak of 75% in 2023 before reaching 68% in the most recent fiscal year to date. With 3,392 total decisions on record, the volume of cases provides a stable view of the judge's decision-making history. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, showing a slight divergence from the long-term average that remains consistent with recent yearly performance.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martin'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 Greenville hearing office
James M. Martin's most recent office on record is the Greenville hearing office, as of July 2026. This office serves claimants across South Carolina. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 66%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greenville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 35% to 72% on their records since 2016. 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 Martin has an approval rate of 68% in the latest reporting period, which is 2 points higher than the Greenville office average of 66%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with the standards of this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 3,392 decisions on record since 2016, starting at 51% and reaching 68% in the most recent fiscal year to date. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to the current requirements of your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is random.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly organized for the judge.
The 61% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past outcomes, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of the judge's historical approval trends.
