Approval rates
The approval rate for C. H. Prinsloo is calculated from 2,758 decisions logged between January 2016 and September 2025. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Seattle hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 21% to 93%. These statistics provide context for the local hearing environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Prinsloo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Prinsloo'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, the approval rate for C. H. Prinsloo has shifted, beginning at 70% in 2016 and reaching 63% in 2025. The data shows a low of 41% in 2022, followed by a recent trend of rising approvals. This pattern highlights the importance of current evidence in your case, as the approach to Social Security Act disability claims has evolved over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Prinsloo'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 Seattle hearing office
C. H. Prinsloo's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, which serves claimants across Washington. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges. Claimants appearing at this office can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. At the Seattle hearing office, there are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 21% to 93%.
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
C. H. Prinsloo sits within a group of 22 judges at the Seattle office, where approval rates range from 21% to 93%. While the 55% rate provides a historical baseline, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for C. H. Prinsloo has fluctuated over the years, starting at 70% in 2016 and reaching 63% in 2025. These variations often reflect changes in case mix or evolving standards for disability evidence. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses these shifting trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any judge you might draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. C. H. Prinsloo has approved 55% of the 2,758 cases on record since 2016, but your success depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you identify the strengths of your case and address potential gaps before your hearing.
