Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. Frederick McGrath's 66% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a clear view of his historical decision-making patterns. This figure sits within the 42% to 82% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga. These aggregate rates reflect past decisions rather than specific outcomes for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McGrath. 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 McGrath'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 2016, Frederick McGrath has issued 2,218 decisions. His approval rate fluctuated over the years, starting at 68% in 2016 and reaching 76% in 2017, before shifting to 64% in 2018 and 60% in 2019. By 2020, the rate returned to 68%, followed by a 77% approval rate in 2021. This trend indicates that while the rate has shifted, it has remained within a consistent range over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McGrath'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 Chattanooga hearing office
Frederick McGrath's most recent SSA record is at the Chattanooga hearing office. This office is home to 16 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can find more information on the Chattanooga Hearing Office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Frederick McGrath's 66% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 42% to 82% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Frederick McGrath's approval rate has fluctuated over his 2,218 decisions on record since 2016. While he saw a high of 77% in 2021, his overall average remains 66%. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a common strategy.
A 66% approval rate on record since 2016 indicates past performance, not a guarantee for your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you present your limitations. An attorney can help you organize your records to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
