Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 47% approval rate for Stephanie Nagel reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 20% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. This comparison provides a clearer picture of the local bench than looking at isolated figures.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Nagel. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nagel'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 574 decisions on record for Stephanie Nagel since 2016 show a shift in approval patterns over time. Her approval rate was 54% in 2017 across 222 decisions, followed by 44% in 2018 across 492 decisions. This trend reflects the variability inherent in disability adjudication.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nagel'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
Stephanie Nagel's most recent office on record is the Charlottesville hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves you if you are in the region and is part of a network of hearing locations. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench represents a wide variety of decision patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 20% to 82%. Four of these judges decided cases here in the latest SSA file.
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
Stephanie Nagel has a 47% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 20% to 82% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in her approval patterns. Her approval rate was 54% in 2017 and moved to 44% in 2018. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
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 best to focus on building a strong case with an attorney who understands the local hearing environment.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 47% approval rate on record for Stephanie Nagel is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a decision. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to support your specific claim.
