Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers requires looking at data from the same period. The approval rates shown here reflect decisions made since 2016, providing a consistent baseline for comparison against the broader bench at the Lexington hearing office. With 243 decisions on record, the data offers a clear view of past activity. 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 Paris. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Paris'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 Don C. Paris shows a shift over the recorded window of January 2016 through September 2017. While the rate stood at 30% in 2016, it rose to 55% during the 2017 period. This change highlights how approval patterns can fluctuate based on the specific evidence and case mix presented during different intervals. The recent uptick reflects a departure from the earlier, lower approval frequency observed on the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Paris'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 Lexington hearing office
Don C. Paris's most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves claimants across the Kentucky region and maintains a bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Lexington hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Lexington hearing office, there are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 79%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. 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
Judge Paris has an approval rate of 34% based on 243 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 21% to 79% observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval frequency. The rate was 30% in 2016 and moved to 55% in 2017. An attorney can help you prepare your case by analyzing how these patterns might relate to your specific medical documentation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 34% approval rate for Judge Paris represents a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your disability claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
