Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 39% approval rate for Rudolph Murgo reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Murgo. 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 Murgo'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 Rudolph Murgo showed a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2018, with rates ranging from 40% to 45% across over 500 decisions annually. Following this, the data shows a decline, with the approval rate dropping to 34% in 2019 and 22% in 2020. With 1,957 total decisions on record since 2016, this downward trend in the final years of the available data window represents a notable shift in the judge's pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Murgo'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 Portland OR hearing office
Rudolph Murgo's most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office, where the last recorded decision occurred in September 2020. This office serves you and other claimants throughout the region and maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Portland OR hearing office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 66%. While these peers operate in the same office, their individual patterns vary significantly.
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
Rudolph Murgo's 39% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 34% to 66% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate over time. While the rate was 40% in 2016 and reached 45% in 2018, it declined to 34% in 2019 and 22% in 2020. Understanding these trends is part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate how to present your medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the quality of your case evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily activities, work history, and the specific limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a judge's decision. An attorney can help you understand how to best present your case to meet the criteria for disability.
