Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Carol Matula's 49% approval rate since 2017 provides a broad view of her decision history, while her latest-period rate of 47% offers a more current snapshot. These figures are best understood when compared to the 48% to 60% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk office. With thousands of decisions on record, this data provides a reliable statistical foundation.
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 Matula'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 January 2017, Carol Matula has issued 3,468 decisions. Her yearly approval trend has fluctuated, showing a peak of 53% in 2017 and 2024, with other years remaining closer to the 47% to 51% range. The most recent reporting period shows a 47% approval rate, which is slightly lower than her long-term average. This pattern reflects her approach to evidence evaluation over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Matula'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office serves claimants across the region. It is staffed by 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and it maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Norfolk office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary from 48% to 60%.
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
Carol Matula's 49% approval rate since 2017 sits within the 48% to 60% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Carol Matula's approval rate has seen yearly fluctuations, ranging from 45% to 53% over the course of her record. While her latest-period rate is 47%, these variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your 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 for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
