Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. The 45% approval rate for Geraldine H. Page reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 41% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Roanoke. This comparison provides a clearer picture of how a judge's history aligns with their local peers.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Page. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Page'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 Geraldine H. Page has shown a varied trend across the 1,679 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of relative stability, the data shows a decline to 36% in 2018 followed by an increase to 54% in 2020. This pattern suggests that your judge's approach to evidence or case mix has evolved over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Page'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 Roanoke hearing office
Geraldine H. Page's most recent office on record is the Roanoke hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and is staffed by a bench of 5 judges with varying approval histories. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Roanoke
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is Roanoke, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 66% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Geraldine H. Page has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Roanoke. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Geraldine H. Page has fluctuated over the years, with a low of 36% in 2018 and a rise to 54% in 2020. These shifts are common as case types and evidence standards evolve. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you present your evidence effectively during this process.
The 45% approval rate for Geraldine H. Page is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strength and prepare for your hearing.
