Approval rates
The approval rate for J. Dennis Reap is calculated from 3,935 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench at the Franklin TN office, where peers range from 29% to 76% in approval, the data highlights the variance inherent in the hearing process. Latest-period figures show the judge is 15 points above the office 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 Reap'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 January 2016, J. Dennis Reap has presided over 3,935 decisions. The yearly trend shows a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2020, followed by an upward shift in recent years. The latest reporting period indicates a 70% approval rate, which is higher than the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reap'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 Franklin TN hearing office
The most recent office on record for J. Dennis Reap is the Franklin TN hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 14 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 55%, providing a benchmark for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Franklin TN
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Franklin TN office, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 76% 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
J. Dennis Reap has an approval rate of 63% since 2016, which sits within the 29% to 76% range of his peers at the Franklin TN office. In the latest reporting period, his 70% approval rate is 15 points higher than the office average of 55%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for J. Dennis Reap has fluctuated over time. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2020, the judge has seen an upward trend in recent years, reaching 70% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the 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 your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented to the judge.
A judge's historical approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While J. Dennis Reap has a 63% approval rate since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
