Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. Glenn A. Neel's 62% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 47% to 79% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office. These figures are based on 3,495 decisions on record, providing a statistically significant sample size for review. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Neel. 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 Neel'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 trend for Glenn A. Neel has shown notable shifts since 2016. After a period of relative stability, the rate saw a decline to 51% in 2020 before trending upward, reaching 71% in both 2023 and 2024. The 2025 rate of 66% remains consistent with this recent higher-approval pattern. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Neel'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 Fort Smith hearing office
The Fort Smith hearing office serves you and other claimants across Arkansas and the surrounding region. With 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it functions as a critical hub for disability adjudication. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Fort Smith hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Smith
Social Security Administration cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 47% to 79%. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Glenn A. Neel's 62% approval rate on record since 2016 is situated within the 47% to 79% range of the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Glenn A. Neel has fluctuated over the years, starting at 67% in 2016 and reaching a recent peak of 71% in 2023 and 2024. These trends are based on 3,495 decisions on record and may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned to the judge over time. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 62% approval rate for Glenn A. Neel describes past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you provide, and an attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
