Approval rates
The approval rate for David R. Murchison is based on 3,130 decisions since 2016. When compared to the broader bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile, David R. Murchison sits within a range of 28% to 81%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Murchison. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Murchison'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 David R. Murchison has fluctuated, starting at 70% in 2016 and reaching 64% in 2025. With 3,130 decisions on record, the data reflects a judge who has navigated a wide range of case types over the last decade. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented during hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Murchison'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 Mobile hearing office
David R. Murchison's most recent office on record is Mobile, with activity through September 2025. This office maintains a bench of 18 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 75%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 81%. While you cannot choose your judge, knowing the office-wide context helps you understand the environment of your hearing.
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
David R. Murchison has an approval rate of 68% since 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile, approval rates range from 28% to 81%. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for David R. Murchison has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a high of 73% in 2018 to 62% in 2022. These variations are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases assigned to the judge. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case strategy.
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 best to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
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 limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 68% approval rate for David R. Murchison is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony regarding your inability to work. An attorney can help you build a robust case that addresses the specific requirements of the SSA.
