Approval rates
The 53% approval rate for Raymond Rodgers reflects all 5,051 decisions on record since 2016. In the latest reporting period, the judge's approval rate was 50%, compared to the office rate of 66%, the state rate of 59%, and the national rate of 58%.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rodgers'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 Raymond Rodgers has fluctuated between 50% and 59% annually since 2016. This historical consistency provides a baseline for understanding the judge's approach to evaluating evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rodgers'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 Fort Myers FL hearing office
Raymond Rodgers's most recent office on record is the Fort Myers FL hearing office, as of July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges who have recorded decisions since 2016.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Myers FL
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Myers FL hearing office. Approval rates among this bench range from 38% to 70% based on their records 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
Raymond Rodgers has a 53% approval rate since 2016, which falls within the 38% to 70% range seen among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Myers FL hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this bench.
The approval rate for Raymond Rodgers has fluctuated between 50% and 59% annually since 2016. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for these questions.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear in court.
