Approval rates
The approval rate for Anne H. Pate is based on 1,843 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Dallas North hearing office, where since-2016 approval rates for judges range from 24% to 88%. This range provides context for how different adjudicators have historically approached their caseloads.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pate. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pate'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 Anne H. Pate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 47% in 2016, moving to 54% in 2017, 44% in 2018, and 47% in 2019. With 1,843 total decisions on record since 2016, the data shows a pattern that has remained steady despite annual variations. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the medical evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pate'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 Dallas North hearing office
The Dallas North hearing office serves you if you are in the Texas region. This office features a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the fundamental requirements for proving your 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
Anne H. Pate has an approval rate of 48% across 1,843 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 88% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Anne H. Pate has remained steady, with annual rates of 47% in 2016, 54% in 2017, 44% in 2018, and 47% in 2019. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a strong application regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among the judges at the Dallas North hearing office. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Anne H. Pate has approved 48% of cases on record since 2016, your case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case by ensuring your medical records are complete and your testimony is clear.
