Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. The 69% approval rate for Barry A. Miller is based on 853 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 45% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Miller. 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 Miller'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 Barry A. Miller showed a steady trend between 2016 and 2019. Starting with a 71% approval rate in 2016, the figures were 74% in 2017, 64% in 2018, and 64% in 2019. With 853 total decisions on record since 2016, the data reflects a stable pattern of decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Miller'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 Evanston hearing office
Barry A. Miller's most recent SSA record (September 2019) is at the Evanston hearing office in Illinois. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench provides a diverse range of experience.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
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 Evanston, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Because every judge has a different approach to evaluating evidence, the specific judge you draw matters.
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
Barry A. Miller has an approval rate of 69% across 853 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 45% to 79% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Barry A. Miller was 71% in 2016 and reached 64% by 2019. While these annual fluctuations occur, the judge has maintained a consistent record over the 853 decisions analyzed. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and limitations, and the judge may consult with vocational or medical experts. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your inability to work. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to build a strong case.
