Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to peers requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 48% approval rate for Thomas G. Norman is based on 134 decisions on record since 2016. This provides a look at past patterns when compared to the 8% to 73% range seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston-Bissonnet.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Norman. 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 Norman'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 48% approval rate for Thomas G. Norman is derived from 134 decisions on record since 2016. This data window captures activity during the period ending in September 2016. Because the record is limited to this specific timeframe, the approval rate reflects a steady pattern within that window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Norman'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 Houston-Bissonnet hearing office
The Houston-Bissonnet office serves you in the Texas region. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston-Bissonnet
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston-Bissonnet, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 8% to 73% on their since-2016 records.
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
Thomas G. Norman has an approval rate of 48% based on 134 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 8% to 73% range of approval rates for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston-Bissonnet. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The data for Thomas G. Norman covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which he maintained a 48% approval rate across 134 decisions. Because the record is limited to this window, the rate remains steady. An attorney can help you understand how these past patterns might relate to your upcoming hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of how Thomas G. Norman will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
