Approval rates
When reviewing a judge's history, it is helpful to compare their performance against the broader bench at the same location. The 948 decisions on record for William R. Paxton since 2016 provide a clear view of his historical approval patterns. Judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office show a wide range of approval rates, from 39% to 78%. These figures reflect historical data rather than current office-wide trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Paxton. 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 Paxton'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 William R. Paxton shifted over his time on record, starting at 50% in 2016 and reaching 64% by 2018. His final year on record in 2019 saw a 63% approval rate across 312 decisions. This trend indicates that his approach became more consistent as his docket progressed through 2019.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Paxton'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 Charleston WV hearing office
William R. Paxton's most recent office on record is the Charleston WV hearing office. This office is home to 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, reflecting a diverse range of decision-making patterns. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a favorable outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your case is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office, and their approval rates vary from 39% to 78%. Because this assignment process is automated, you have no control over which judge reviews your evidence.
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
William R. Paxton holds a 61% approval rate on his 948 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the range of 39% to 78% observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 50% approval rate in 2016 to 63% by 2019. This trend reflects a period of adjustment in his decision patterns over the years he was active at the Charleston WV office. If you are concerned about how these past trends might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you review your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to available judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of a qualified attorney.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. While William R. Paxton approved 61% of cases on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
