Approval rates
The 78% lifetime approval rate for John M. Meisburg Jr. is based on 1,993 decisions, providing a clear view of his history since 2016. This sits at the top of the 33% to 78% range seen among the 17 judges on record at the Jacksonville office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Meisburg Jr.. 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 Meisburg Jr.'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 record for John M. Meisburg Jr. spans from 2016 to 2021, showing a consistent approach to disability claims. His approval rate remained steady throughout his tenure, with yearly figures hovering between 72% and 80% before a final period uptick to 86%. This trend suggests a stable decision-making pattern over his 1,993 total decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Meisburg Jr.'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 Jacksonville hearing office
The Jacksonville hearing office serves claimants across Florida, operating as a hub for regional disability determinations. With 17 judges on record since 2016, the office manages a diverse caseload. You can see the Jacksonville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 33% to 78%. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide environment is vital.
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 M. Meisburg Jr. holds a 78% lifetime approval rate, which is at the top of the 33% to 78% range observed among the 17 judges on record at the Jacksonville office. Because approval rates vary significantly, an attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the specific requirements of this hearing office.
His approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout his record, which includes 1,993 decisions since 2016. While he maintained rates between 72% and 80% for most of that time, the final period saw an uptick to 86%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is ultimately 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 ensure your medical records are properly presented to the judge.
A judge's lifetime approval rate of 78% is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify and strengthen the evidence needed to meet the judge's standards.