Approval rates
The 65% approval rate for John R. Mason covers all 2,374 decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 36% to 81% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mason. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
John R. Mason's approval rate was 62% in 2016, 62% in 2017, 63% in 2018, 64% in 2019, 75% in 2020, and 67% in 2021. These figures are based on 2,374 total decisions on record.
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 Savannah hearing office
The Savannah hearing office is the most recent office on record for 14 judges, with the last recorded decision for John R. Mason occurring in September 2021.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah
There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office. Their approval rates range from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 records.
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
John R. Mason has an approval rate of 65% across 2,374 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
John R. Mason's approval rate was 62% in 2016, 62% in 2017, 63% in 2018, 64% in 2019, 75% in 2020, and 67% in 2021. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical fluctuations.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations, work history, and symptoms. An attorney can help you prepare for this testimony so you can clearly explain your disability to the judge.
