Approval rates
Comparing the record of David A. Mason requires looking at both his lifetime performance and his most recent activity. His 63% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader 44% to 74% range observed across the Livonia MI bench. In the latest reporting period, he maintained a 63% approval rate, which is 5 percentage points higher than the office-wide average of 58%. 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 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
David A. Mason has presided over 198 lifetime decisions. His approval rate has remained consistent at 63% throughout the latest reporting period. This data reflects a steady decision-making pattern, with a 41% fully-favorable rate and a 37% denial rate in recent months. This consistency provides a stable baseline for understanding how your evidence is evaluated in disability claims.
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
The Livonia MI hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 18 judges on record. The office currently reports an average approval rate of 58% for the latest period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office, 8 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across these peers vary from 44% to 74%, highlighting the importance of a well-prepared case regardless of the judge 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
The 63% lifetime approval rate of David A. Mason is positioned within the 44% to 74% range of his peers at the Livonia MI office. In the latest period, his 63% approval rate is 5 percentage points higher than the office average of 58%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with these standards.
The approval rate of David A. Mason has remained steady at 63% during the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific case facts fit into this established pattern.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for any outcome by ensuring your evidence is robust.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While David A. Mason has a 63% lifetime approval rate, every case is decided on its own unique medical and vocational merits. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case to meet the necessary criteria.