Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure a fair assessment. While David Read has a 50% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate of 39% sits 14 points below the Lansing office average of 53%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical baseline.
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 Read'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 David Read has fluctuated across the 3,576 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching 60% in 2017, the rate saw a decline before experiencing a recovery in 2023. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 39% approval rate, which is lower than the long-term average. This recent period reflects a continuation of a volatile pattern, which may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific evidence presented in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Read'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 Lansing hearing office
The Lansing hearing office serves you across Michigan and is a key site for regional disability adjudications. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 53%. You can expect a formal administrative process where evidence quality is the primary driver of the outcome. You can see the Lansing Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lansing
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Lansing hearing office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges demonstrate an approval-rate range of 37% to 68% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
David Read's 50% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 37% to 68% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lansing hearing office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards often required in this office.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time. While the rate was 60% in 2017, it has trended to 39% in the most recent 2026 fiscal year-to-date data. Understanding these shifts is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with a qualified attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. The judge will often ask questions about your functional limitations and work history to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to clearly explain your limitations to the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA's definition of disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to see if it meets the necessary standards for approval.
