Approval rates
The approval rate for Ethel Revels is based on 55 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has handled past disability claims. When compared to the broader bench at the Detroit hearing office, where approval rates for judges range from 25% to 75% since 2016, this data helps you understand the local context.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Revels. 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 Revels'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 Ethel Revels stands at 25% across 55 decisions on record since 2016. The data reflects a consistent pattern during the recorded window of January 2016 through September 2016. Because this record covers a specific period, it provides a snapshot of how evidence was evaluated during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Revels'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 Detroit hearing office
Ethel Revels's most recent office on record is the Detroit hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves the Michigan region and maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the focus remains on the medical evidence provided.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Detroit
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Detroit hearing office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 25% to 75% 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
Judge Revels has an approval rate of 25% based on 55 decisions on record since 2016. In comparison, the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Detroit show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 25% to 75%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Judge Revels is 25% based on the data window of January 2016 through September 2016. The pattern remained steady throughout this period. If you are concerned about how your case will be evaluated, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that is ready for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your impairments limit your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 25% approval rate for Judge Revels reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
