Approval rates
The approval rate for William G. Reamon is calculated from 4,566 decisions rendered since 2016. Among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids, approval rates range from 43% to 88%. In the latest reporting period, William G. Reamon approved 46% of cases, compared to the 60% office-wide average.
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 Reamon'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 fluctuated, moving from 48% in 2016 to 46% in the most recent partial fiscal year. The record includes 4,566 total decisions. While the rate dipped to 40% in 2018 and 2022, recent data shows a return toward the historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reamon'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
The Grand Rapids hearing office is the most recent office on record for 10 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 60%. You can find the full roster of judges at the Grand Rapids hearing office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 43% to 88% based on records since 2016.
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
William G. Reamon has an approval rate of 45% since 2016, which falls within the 43% to 88% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for William G. Reamon has fluctuated, starting at 48% in 2016 and reaching 46% in the most recent partial fiscal year. While there have been years with lower rates, such as 40% in 2022, the overall pattern remains consistent. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you organize your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your medical records are presented effectively.
