Approval rates
This table compares the approval rate of Kim Soo Nagle against the broader bench at her most recent office on record. The bench consists of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 76% on their records since 2016. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable view of past patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Nagle. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nagle'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 approval rate for Kim Soo Nagle has fluctuated, starting at 43% in 2016 and reaching 53% in 2017 before trending through various levels in subsequent years. With 1,519 total decisions on record, the data reflects a varied history of case outcomes. The yearly trend indicates that approval patterns have not remained static, which is common in disability litigation. These shifts may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nagle'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 Dallas Downtown hearing office
Kim Soo Nagle's most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, which serves you in the Texas region. This office hosts a bench of 18 judges who have contributed to the local record since 2016. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas Downtown
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 the Dallas Downtown hearing office. Approval rates among these peers vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 76% on their records since 2016.
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
Kim Soo Nagle has an approval rate of 46% on her record since 2016. This sits within the range of 21% to 76% observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Kim Soo Nagle has varied over the years, with 1,519 total decisions on record. While she saw an approval rate of 43% in 2016 and 53% in 2017, the rates have fluctuated in the years since. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
The 46% approval rate for Kim Soo Nagle represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
