Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 51% approval rate for Peggy McFadden-Elmore reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 17% to 87% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches operate.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McFadden-Elmore. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McFadden-Elmore'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
The approval rate for Peggy McFadden-Elmore has shown variation across the 1,081 decisions on record since 2016. The trend began at 50% in 2016, dipped to 47% in 2017, and rose to 54% in both 2018 and 2019. This pattern shows a shift toward higher approval rates in the latter part of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McFadden-Elmore'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 Charleston SC hearing office
Peggy McFadden-Elmore's most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you if you are in the region and maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Charleston SC Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 87% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your medical evidence and testimony.
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
Peggy McFadden-Elmore has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 87% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Peggy McFadden-Elmore has fluctuated, moving from 50% in 2016 to 54% by 2019. These shifts are common and can be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence requirements. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented clearly to the judge.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. While Peggy McFadden-Elmore has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific criteria for disability.
