Approval rates
Understanding how a judge's history compares to their peers can help you prepare for your hearing. The 62% approval rate for Ted W. Neiswanger is based on 897 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 32% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene, this figure provides a clear view of the local bench. 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 Neiswanger. 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 Neiswanger'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 Ted W. Neiswanger showed variance across the record window of January 2016 through September 2018. The data shows an approval rate of 63% in 2016, 68% in 2017, and 51% in 2018. With 897 total decisions on record, these shifts highlight how case mix or evidence quality can influence outcomes over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Neiswanger'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 Eugene hearing office
The Eugene hearing office serves you throughout the region. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. If you appear at this office, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical evidence and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 81% on their since-2016 records. 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
Ted W. Neiswanger has an approval rate of 62% based on 897 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 81% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The judge's approval rate was 63% in 2016, 68% in 2017, and 51% in 2018. These fluctuations across 897 total decisions on record reflect the dynamic nature of disability hearings. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
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 vital to have your evidence organized regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the standards of the Eugene hearing office.
