Approval rates
The Tucson hearing office features a bench with lifetime approval rates ranging from 50% to 79%. George W. Reyes sits at the higher end of this spectrum based on his 2,481 lifetime decisions. These figures are derived from Social Security Administration data covering the period from 2016 to 2023. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Reyes. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Reyes'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 approval rate for George W. Reyes has shown a steady pattern, generally fluctuating between 74% and 85% annually. His record includes 2,481 total decisions, providing a consistent view of his approach over the last several years. While the rate saw a slight peak in 2021, the recent data reflects a continuation of his established decision-making history. This consistency allows for a clearer understanding of how your case may be evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reyes'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 Tucson hearing office
The Tucson hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for Arizona disability hearings. The office maintains a bench of 5 judges who manage a high volume of cases to ensure timely processing. You can expect a professional environment focused on the thorough review of medical evidence. For more information, see the Tucson Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Tucson hearing office currently has 5 judges on record since 2016, with 3 judges reported in the latest SSA period. Cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you have no control over which judge hears your claim. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 50% to 79%. 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
George W. Reyes has a lifetime approval rate of 79%, which is at the top of the range for the 5 judges on record at the Tucson office. Other judges at this location have lifetime rates as low as 50%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this office.
The approval rate for George W. Reyes has remained relatively steady since 2016, with annual rates ranging from 74% to 85%. While there are year-to-year fluctuations, his long-term record shows a consistent approach to evaluating disability claims. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case to align with these evidentiary expectations.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who is prepared to advocate for you before any member of the bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic and does not guarantee the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work under SSA regulations. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific requirements of your claim.