Approval rates
Comparing approval rates provides context for your hearing, though every case is unique. John L. McFadyen's 53% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 41% to 88% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport. These figures are based on 864 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McFadyen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McFadyen'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 John L. McFadyen remained steady across the 864 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, the approval rate was 54% over 524 decisions, followed by 51% over 473 decisions in 2017. This data window reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation during the period of record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McFadyen'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 Kingsport hearing office
The Kingsport hearing office serves you in Tennessee and the surrounding region. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%, your individual outcome depends on the medical evidence and documentation provided for your specific claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 88% on their since-2016 records. Eight of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026.
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 L. McFadyen has an approval rate of 53% based on 864 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 41% to 88% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Kingsport. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate moved from 54% in 2016 to 51% in 2017. These figures are based on 864 decisions on record during that window. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of the judge assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. John L. McFadyen's 53% rate on record since 2016 is one data point, but the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
