Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 54% approval rate for Larry A. Miller reflects his entire record since 2016, which can be evaluated against the 27% to 74% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. With 1,906 decisions on record, this data provides a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 25, 2020. 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
Your judge's approval trend has shown variation since 2016. After an initial 52% approval rate in 2016, the figures fluctuated, reaching 59% in 2017 before settling into a period of 53% in 2018 and 2019. The final partial year of data in 2020 saw a return to 59% approval across 95 decisions. This pattern suggests that while the rate has shifted, it remains within a consistent range over the 1,906 total decisions on record.
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 Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh hearing office serves you and other claimants across North Carolina and the surrounding region. It is supported by a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Because case assignment is outside of your control, understanding the broader bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
Larry A. Miller has an approval rate of 54% on his record since 2016. This sits within the 27% to 74% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Larry A. Miller has fluctuated over time, moving from 52% in 2016 to 59% in 2017, then stabilizing near 53% in 2018 and 2019, before reaching 59% in 2020. These variations are common in SSDI dockets and reflect the complexity of the cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
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 present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Larry A. Miller has a 54% approval rate on his 1,906 decisions since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and identify gaps in your documentation.
