Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. While your judge's overall approval rate on record since 2016 is 67%, recent data shows a 72% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 12 points above the Morgantown office average of 60%. These figures provide context for the judge's decision-making history, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your 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 Preston'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, your judge's approval rate has varied. After an initial period of fluctuation, the rate has seen a rise in recent years, with the latest period reflecting a 72% approval rate. This recent performance remains higher than the 67% average observed across all 3,153 decisions on record. The latest period reflects a continuation of this trend, which may be influenced by changes in case mix or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Preston'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 Morgantown hearing office
Susan Preston's most recent office on record is the Morgantown hearing office, which serves claimants across West Virginia. This office is part of a regional network where judges manage diverse caseloads, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%. You can expect a formal process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Morgantown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Morgantown hearing office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 21% to 67% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Susan Preston has an approval rate of 67% on record since 2016, which sits at the top end of the 21% to 67% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 67%, the most recent reporting period shows a 72% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the assignment is random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely testify about your limitations, and a vocational expert may provide input on your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
