Approval rates
The 79% approval rate for Saul W. Nathanson reflects all 104 decisions on record since 2016. This is measured against the 29% to 83% range of the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. These figures provide context for how different judicial approaches can impact case outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Nathanson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nathanson'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 Saul W. Nathanson is based on 104 decisions on record since 2016. Throughout the 2016 data window, the approval rate remained at 79%. This consistency provides a historical reference point for how evidence was evaluated during that period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nathanson'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 Charlotte hearing office
The Charlotte hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout North Carolina. With 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench represents a wide spectrum of decision patterns. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
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 Charlotte hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Understanding that your judge is assigned by chance highlights the importance of thorough preparation.
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
Saul W. Nathanson has an approval rate of 79% on record since 2016. This sits within the 29% to 83% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Saul W. Nathanson was 79% over 104 decisions during the 2016 record window. The data shows a steady pattern during this period. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but 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 these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
