Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 39% approval rate for Mark C. Ramsey reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 39% to 80% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento. These figures are based on 413 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ramsey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ramsey'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 Mark C. Ramsey stands at 39% based on 413 decisions on record since 2016. The data window for this judge spans from January 2016 to September 2016. Because this record covers a specific, limited timeframe, the pattern reflects the outcomes from that period. These historical figures provide a baseline for understanding how cases were handled during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ramsey'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 Sacramento hearing office
Mark C. Ramsey's most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you if you are in the Sacramento area. With 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it handles a significant volume of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 80% on their since-2016 records. While these rates vary, the process for presenting evidence remains consistent across the bench.
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
Mark C. Ramsey has an approval rate of 39% based on 413 decisions on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 39% to 80% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The data for Mark C. Ramsey covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the approval rate was 39% across 413 decisions. Because the record is limited to this window, it represents a fixed period of activity. If you have concerns about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to available judges. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that is ready for any assigned ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Mark C. Ramsey has a 39% approval rate on record since 2016, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific standards required for approval.
