Approval rates
The approval rate for Thomas M. Ray is based on a docket of 3,269 lifetime decisions. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader context of the Las Vegas bench, where lifetime approval rates for judges on record range from 34% to 80%. These figures represent historical data rather than a fixed outcome for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ray. 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 Ray'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 record for Thomas M. Ray has shown variance, moving from 59% in the early years to a recent upward trend. The data reflects a period of 3,269 decisions, with the most recent years showing higher approval percentages compared to the lifetime average. This shift suggests that the judge's recent approach may be more favorable than in previous years, though case mix and evidence quality remain the primary drivers of any individual decision.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ray'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Las Vegas hearing office
The Las Vegas hearing office serves you throughout Nevada, operating under the jurisdiction of the Social Security Administration. The office maintains a bench of 10 judges on record. You should be prepared for a formal administrative process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 10 judges on record at the Las Vegas hearing office since 2016. With lifetime approval rates across the office bench ranging from 34% to 80%, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant variable.
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
Thomas M. Ray has a 67% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 34% to 80% range observed among the 10 judges on record at the Las Vegas office. Because every judge has a unique approach to weighing evidence, an attorney can help you tailor your case to meet the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a trend of increasing approval rates in recent years, reaching 86% in 2025 compared to 59% in 2016. While this pattern is informative, your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence, and an attorney can help you present that evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of whoever is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history, and an attorney can help you prepare for these questions to ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
The 67% lifetime approval rate for Thomas M. Ray is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for you. Your case will be decided based on your unique medical evidence, and an attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and persuasive.