Approval rates
The Greensboro hearing office bench maintains a lifetime approval-rate range between 50% and 89%. Benjamin R. McMillion's lifetime record of 70% sits within this spectrum, though his latest-period approval rate of 54% currently tracks 11 percentage points below the office-wide latest-period average of 65%. These figures are based on a docket of 3,774 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 McMillion'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, Benjamin R. McMillion's approval rate has followed a notable arc. After peaking at 95% in 2023, the rate has seen a decline in the most recent reporting periods, settling at 54% in 2026. This shift highlights the importance of current evidence preparation, as the latest period reflects a departure from the higher approval levels seen in previous years. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases and medical evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McMillion'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Greensboro hearing office
The Greensboro hearing office serves you throughout North Carolina and the surrounding region. With a bench of 16 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can expect a formal process focused on the documentation of your medical impairments and work history. You can see the Greensboro Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Greensboro office currently features 16 judges on record since 2016, with 8 judges reporting in the latest SSA data period. Because the SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge, and the assignment is effectively random. The office-wide lifetime approval rates for this bench range from 50% to 89%. For your preparation, the guidance 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
Benjamin R. McMillion's lifetime approval rate is 70%, which falls within the office-wide range of 50% to 89%. While his latest-period rate of 54% is currently 11 points below the Greensboro office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After reaching a high of 95% in 2023, the approval rate has moved to 54% in 2026. This shift underscores the necessity of having a well-documented case, as recent trends suggest a more rigorous review process. An attorney can help you prepare for these changing expectations.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random, workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, the best strategy is to ensure your case is fully prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented to the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a historical summary, not a guarantee of your specific result. While Benjamin R. McMillion has approved 2,641 cases out of 3,774 lifetime decisions, your outcome depends on the quality of your evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear.