Approval rates
We evaluate David A. Mason's 63% approval rate on record since 2026 against the broader bench at the Livonia MI office, where peers range from 44% to 74%. Latest-period data shows the judge trending 5 points above the office average of 58%. These figures provide context for your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual case.
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 Mason'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 2026, David A. Mason has issued 198 decisions on record. The approval rate for this period stands at 63%. This trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation within the Livonia MI office, where the latest period shows stable decision-making relative to the volume of cases processed.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mason'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 Livonia MI hearing office
David A. Mason's most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office. With 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains an average latest-period approval rate of 58%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge you are 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
David A. Mason has an approval rate of 63% on record since 2026. This places the judge within the 44% to 74% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for David A. Mason has remained at 63% during the 2026 reporting period. Because our data window begins in 2016, we track these patterns to help you understand historical decision-making. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might impact your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any ALJ assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While David A. Mason has a 63% approval rate on record since 2026, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before you appear in court.
