Approval rates
Comparing judicial performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Judge Moore maintains a 42% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows a 47% approval rate, which is 5 percentage points above the Charlottesville office average. These figures are derived from a significant docket of 1,986 lifetime decisions, providing a stable basis for analysis.
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 Moore'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, your judge's decision record has shown varied activity, with approval rates fluctuating between a low of 31% in 2021 and a high of 49% in 2017. The most recent data indicates a 47% approval rate, suggesting a recent trend toward higher allowance levels compared to her historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Moore'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 Charlottesville hearing office
The Charlottesville hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a key hub for Social Security disability adjudications in Virginia. The office bench includes 13 judges who have contributed to a diverse range of outcomes. You can expect a professional environment where evidence quality remains the primary driver of success. See the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/charlottesville-VA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Charlottesville hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is selected randomly. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 4 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. These judges exhibit a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 20% to 82%.
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
Judge Moore's latest-period approval rate of 47% is 5 percentage points higher than the Charlottesville office average of 42%. While this indicates her recent activity is above the local benchmark, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Moore has fluctuated over her 1,986 lifetime decisions. After reaching a low of 31% in 2021, her approval rate has trended upward to 47% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared to meet the standards of any ALJ. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.