Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 52% approval rate for Karen Robinson reflects her decisions on record since 2016, which can be viewed alongside the 20% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. This range provides context for how different judges have historically managed their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Robinson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Robinson'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 Karen Robinson shifted during her time on record, moving from 44% in 2017 to 56% in 2018. With 600 total decisions on record since 2016, this trend highlights a measurable change in outcomes over that period. Understanding these patterns is part of preparing for your hearing, as the data reflects how evidence and case requirements were evaluated in past proceedings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Robinson'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 Charlottesville hearing office
The Charlottesville hearing office serves you and other claimants in Virginia and the surrounding region. It is home to a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process governed by federal regulations at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, with approval rates ranging from 20% to 82% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Karen Robinson has a 52% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 20% to 82% range of approval rates for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 44% approval rate in 2017 to 56% in 2018. These figures are based on 600 total decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your current case.
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 important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assignment.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your work history and how your symptoms limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your case is fully prepared.
