Approval rates
The 26% approval rate for Edward T. Morriss reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 17% to 87% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office. With 1,854 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 Morriss. 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 Morriss'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 Edward T. Morriss has fluctuated since 2016. After an initial period, the rate was 26% in 2016, 24% in 2017, 32% in 2018, 27% in 2019, and 15% in 2020. This trend across 1,854 decisions on record shows that the judge's approach to case evidence has shifted over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morriss'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 Charleston SC hearing office
The Charleston SC hearing office serves you throughout the region. As of the most recent record in September 2020, this office maintained a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC
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 the Charleston SC hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 87% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Edward T. Morriss has a 26% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 87% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston SC hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Edward T. Morriss has varied over the years. It moved from 26% in 2016 to a high of 32% in 2018, before trending to 15% in 2020. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using 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.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 26% approval rate for Edward T. Morriss is a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
