Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. William Pflugrath's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 48% to 60% range observed among the bench at the Norfolk hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, the 62% approval rate compares to a 55% office rate, a 49% state rate, and a 58% national rate. These figures are derived from 2,533 total decisions on record. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Pflugrath'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 September 2016, the approval rate for William Pflugrath has shown fluctuations. After an initial period of higher approval rates, the data shows a shift toward a lower, steadier pattern between 2018 and 2021. More recently, the trend has moved upward, with the latest period showing a 62% approval rate. This recent performance reflects a divergence from the long-term average, potentially influenced by changes in the specific mix of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pflugrath'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 Norfolk hearing office
William Pflugrath's most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you across the region, maintaining a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%, you can expect a standard administrative process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Norfolk Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 7 of them having decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 48% to 60% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 Pflugrath's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 48% to 60% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 55%, the judge saw a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021 before a recent uptick to 62% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records, vocational history, and testimony. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
