Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While David Romeo holds a 47% lifetime approval rate, his most recent reporting period shows a 54% approval rate. This latest figure sits 7 points below the current Fort Smith office average of 61%, but 7 points above the Arkansas state average of 47%. With 2,847 decisions on record, the data provides a statistically significant look at his decision-making history.
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 Romeo'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
David Romeo's record since 2016 shows a varied approval trend. After a period of lower approval rates between 2017 and 2021, the data indicates a shift toward higher approval percentages starting in 2022. This recent pattern has remained relatively steady through the most recent reporting period. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Romeo'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 Fort Smith hearing office
The Fort Smith hearing office serves you if you are a claimant throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region. As one of the primary hubs for disability adjudication in the area, the office maintains a bench of 8 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, providing a benchmark for the region.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is effectively random. There are 8 judges on record at the Fort Smith office since 2016, 3 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 47% to 79%.
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
David Romeo's 47% lifetime approval rate sits at the lower end of the 47% to 79% range observed among the 8 judges on record at the Fort Smith office. Because case assignment is random, working with a qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in David Romeo's approval patterns. After a period of lower approval rates between 2017 and 2021, his approval rate increased in 2022 and has remained steady through 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney present can help ensure your testimony clearly addresses the specific criteria the judge uses to evaluate disability.
A judge's approval rate is a historical reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. David Romeo has 2,847 decisions on record, which helps establish a pattern, but every case is decided on its own merits. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.