Approval rates
Mary C. Peltzer's 49% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 20% to 82% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. These figures provide a baseline for understanding how different judicial approaches have historically shaped outcomes at this office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Peltzer. 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 Peltzer'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 Mary C. Peltzer has shown variation across 1,349 decisions on record since 2016. After a 42% approval rate in 2016, the figures were 54% in 2017, 53% in 2018, and 44% in 2019. This pattern illustrates how annual fluctuations occur within a docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Peltzer'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 Charlottesville hearing office
The Charlottesville hearing office is the most recent office on record for 13 judges. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 42%, individual outcomes depend on the specific medical evidence and testimony presented in your case.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, with approval rates ranging from 20% to 82% 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
Mary C. Peltzer has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 20% to 82% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. It moved from 42% in 2016 to 54% in 2017, 53% in 2018, and 44% in 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, you should be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal 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. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 49% approval rate on record since 2016 describes past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
