Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While your judge's 50% approval rate covers the entire record since 2016, the latest-period figures provide a snapshot of more recent activity. With 2,914 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past outcomes.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Parker'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 Guila Parker has shifted over the 2,914 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2018 and 2022, the data indicates an upward trend in approvals starting in 2023. The latest reporting period shows a 60% approval rate, which differs from the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Parker'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 Madison hearing office
Guila Parker's most recent office on record is the Madison Hearing Office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 69%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Madison
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates for this bench range from 50% to 78% on their records since 2016.
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 Parker has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Madison Hearing Office, approval rates range from 50% to 78%. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. After several years of stability, the approval rate began to rise in 2023, reaching 60% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing with any judge.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 50% approval rate on record since 2016 reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most critical factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
