Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 79% approval rate for George W. Reyes reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 50% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Tucson Hearing Office. This comparison provides a view of how this judge's record aligns with the local bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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, the approval rate for George W. Reyes has shown a steady trend with yearly fluctuation. After starting at 74% in 2016, the rate reached a peak of 85% in 2021 before settling at 76% in 2023. With 2,481 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. The recent data suggests a return toward the long-term average following the higher approval period observed during 2020 and 2021.
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.
About the Tucson hearing office
The Tucson Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Arizona and the surrounding region. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 77%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tucson
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tucson Hearing Office, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 50% to 79%. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of the local bench is helpful for your overall preparation.
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 an approval rate of 79% based on 2,481 decisions since 2016. This places the judge at the top of the 50% to 79% range observed among the 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tucson Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this specific bench.
The approval rate for George W. Reyes has remained steady over the years, with yearly figures ranging from 74% in 2016 to a high of 85% in 2021, before reaching 76% in 2023. These fluctuations are common and often relate to changes in case evidence or legal standards. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge 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 prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter at your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While the 79% rate for George W. Reyes provides context, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you meet the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation.
