Approval rates
The Norfolk hearing office features a bench where judges have lifetime approval rates ranging from 48% to 60%. In the most recent reporting period, Carol Matula recorded an approval rate of 47%, which compares to the office-wide latest-period rate of 55%. These figures provide context for the local environment, though your specific outcome depends on the unique medical evidence in your file. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 2017, Carol Matula has presided over 3,468 lifetime decisions. Her yearly approval trend has fluctuated, showing a high of 53% in 2017 and 2024, with other years remaining near the 49% lifetime average. The most recent data indicates a rate of 47%, which is consistent with the broader patterns observed throughout her time on the bench. This trend suggests a stable approach to case 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 you throughout the region, operating as a central hub for Virginia disability hearings. The office maintains a professional environment where judges handle a diverse range of medical and vocational claims. With a bench of 12 judges on record, the office processes a high volume of cases annually. You can see the Norfolk Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is selected randomly. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 7 judges currently reporting in the latest SSA data. With an office-wide lifetime approval range of 48% to 60%, you may encounter different decision patterns depending on your assignment. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Carol Matula's lifetime approval rate of 49% sits within the 48% to 60% range established by the 12 judges on record at the Norfolk hearing office. While this places her within the local spectrum, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best suit this specific hearing environment.
Carol Matula's approval rate has shown moderate variance since 2017, ranging from 45% to 53% in different years. Her most recent rate of 47% remains close to her 49% lifetime average. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your hearing, a free case review can provide clarity on your next steps. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench and ensure your evidence is ready.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an experienced attorney is the best way to prepare for any hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench and ensure your evidence is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench and ensure your evidence is ready.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for the judge's review. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench and ensure your evidence is ready.