Approval rates
When reviewing the data for John A. Peebles, it is helpful to compare his performance against the broader bench at the Memphis hearing office. His 50% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the office's range of 44% to 80% for judges with similar records. In the most recent reporting period, his 57% approval rate is 2 percentage points higher than the office average of 55%. These figures are based on 3,780 decisions on record.
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 Peebles'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 John A. Peebles has fluctuated since 2016. After a period of relative stability, the rate declined in 2023 and 2024 before rising in 2025 and 2026. With 3,780 total decisions on record, this trend highlights how case outcomes can shift over time. The recent uptick in approval rates reflects a departure from the lower figures seen in the previous two years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Peebles'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 Memphis hearing office
The Memphis hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. As of the most recent data from July 2026, the office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 55%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 44% to 80% on their since-2016 records.
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
John A. Peebles has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 44% to 80% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate for John A. Peebles has varied over time. The rate dipped to 42% in 2024 before rising to 57% in the most recent 2026 fiscal year-to-date period. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate what these trends might mean for your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Regardless of the judge assigned, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you may encounter.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While John A. Peebles has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
