Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While H. Munday maintains a 38% lifetime approval rate, recent data shows a 30% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure sits 12 percentage points lower than the Charlottesville office average of 42% for the same period.
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 Munday'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 record for H. Munday shows a relatively steady approval trend, typically hovering between 38% and 41% annually. The most recent reporting period shows a 30% approval rate, which marks a departure from the historical average. This shift may reflect changes in case mix or the specific evidence presented in recent dockets.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Munday'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, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With 13 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 42%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Charlottesville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is effectively random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom reported in the latest period. Lifetime approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging 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
H. Munday has a lifetime approval rate of 38% across 3,645 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 20% to 82% for all judges on record at the Charlottesville office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards of this hearing office.
The approval rate for H. Munday has remained generally consistent, with annual rates mostly between 38% and 41% since 2016. The most recent reporting period shows a 30% approval rate. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary requirements often seen in this judge's recent dockets.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge at the Charlottesville office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee an outcome for your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.