Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 39% approval rate for Roger L. Reynolds reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can measure against the 21% to 79% range of his peers at the Lexington hearing office over that same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Reynolds. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Reynolds'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 Roger L. Reynolds has shown variation across his 1,365 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 36% in 2016, the figure rose to 46% in 2017 before moving to 37% in 2018 and 35% in 2019. This trend indicates a period of fluctuation in how your evidence and case requirements are evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reynolds'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 Lexington hearing office
Roger L. Reynolds's most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you and other claimants across Kentucky. With 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 79% on their since-2016 records.
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
Roger L. Reynolds has a 39% approval rate on his 1,365 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 79% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Roger L. Reynolds fluctuated during his time on record, moving from 36% in 2016 to 46% in 2017, then to 37% in 2018 and 35% in 2019. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Roger L. Reynolds has a 39% approval rate on his 1,365 decisions on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical and vocational evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
