Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 54% approval rate for Addison C. Masengill reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 42% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Masengill. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Masengill'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 approval rate for Addison C. Masengill has shown variation across the 3,683 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability in the mid-50% range, the data shows a decline toward 50% in 2021 before trending to 61% in 2024 and 55% in 2025. This pattern reflects historical decision-making, though yearly fluctuations are common in Social Security Administration dockets.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Masengill'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 Springfield MA hearing office
The Springfield MA hearing office serves you in the Massachusetts region. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can see the Springfield MA hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MA
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Springfield MA hearing office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 77%.
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
Addison C. Masengill has an approval rate of 54% based on 3,683 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Addison C. Masengill has fluctuated over time, starting at 58% in 2016 and moving through a range of 50% to 61% in more recent years. These changes are common and often reflect shifts in case complexity or evidence quality. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is organized.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Addison C. Masengill will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
