Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the 67% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a long-term view, your recent performance is measured against the latest reporting period. In the latest period, the 66% approval rate sits 11 points above the Franklin TN office average of 55%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing statistical confidence. 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 Morgan'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, the approval rate for Kerry Morgan has shown a varied trend, beginning at 72% and moving through several fluctuations before reaching 66% in the most recent period. With 3,904 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent volume of activity. While yearly rates have shifted, the latest period reflects a steady pattern of approvals. This trend suggests that your case outcome is influenced by the specific evidence you present in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morgan'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 Franklin TN hearing office
The Franklin TN hearing office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 55%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your outcome. You can see the Franklin TN hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Franklin TN
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 76% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Kerry Morgan has an approval rate of 67% on record since 2016, which sits within the 29% to 76% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Franklin TN. In the latest reporting period, the 66% approval rate is 11 points higher than the office average of 55%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Kerry Morgan has fluctuated over the years, starting at 72% in 2016 and reaching 66% in the most recent period. These yearly variations are common in SSDI hearings and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making your assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented to the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While the 67% approval rate on record since 2016 provides context, the success of your claim depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you identify and organize the evidence needed to support your claim.
