Approval rates
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, the 44% approval rate for Craig R. Petersen sits below the office average of 54%, the state average of 57%, and the national average of 58%. These figures are based on 500 decisions.
SSA publishes no office- or national-level breakdown of fully favorable and denial rates. The 12 months are SSA's figures for this fiscal year to date plus the rest of the previous fiscal year; how we calculate them.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Petersen'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
Since 2016, Craig R. Petersen has issued 4,144 decisions. The annual approval rate reached a high of 51% in 2017 before trending to a low of 24% in 2022. Since that point, the rate has trended to 43% in 2026.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Petersen'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 Savannah hearing office
The Savannah hearing office is the most recent office on record for Craig R. Petersen as of July 2026. The office bench includes 14 judges, with 5 having recorded decisions in SSA's latest file. Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, the office maintained an approval rate of 54%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah, 5 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. These 5 judges range from 38% to 66% in their approval rates over the 12 months to July 31, 2026.
Judges with similar approval rates
These active judges' approval rates over the same 12 months (July 26, 2025 – July 31, 2026) are closest to Judge Petersen's 44%. All five last decided cases in Georgia.
- 42% Approval rate, last 12 months James Conlon
- 46% Approval rate, last 12 months Linda D. Taylor
- 48% Approval rate, last 12 months Lisa A. Bentley
- 48% Approval rate, last 12 months Kristen Glover
- 49% Approval rate, last 12 months Eric S. Fulcher
Rates within 5 points of each other are hard to tell apart at a typical caseload, so treat these as judges with comparable records, not a ranking. See Judge Petersen and the three closest side by side →
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
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, the 44% approval rate for Craig R. Petersen is within the 38% to 66% range established by the 5 judges active at the Savannah office during that period. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends may relate to your specific hearing.
Yes, the rate has shifted over time. After peaking at 51% in 2017, the approval rate declined to 24% in 2022 before trending to 43% in 2026. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical fluctuations.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
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 for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you gather the necessary records to build a strong case for your hearing.
