Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Malcolm Ross has an approval rate of 47% across his total record since 2017. In the most recent reporting period, his 42% approval rate sits 13 points below the Seattle office average of 55%, 19 points below the state average of 61%, and 16 points below the national average of 58%. These figures provide a baseline for understanding recent activity.
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 Ross'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 2017, Malcolm Ross has issued 2,786 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, starting with 75% in 2017 before settling into a range between 42% and 53% in subsequent years. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 42% approval rate, which aligns with the lower end of his historical range.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ross'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 Seattle hearing office
Malcolm Ross's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical evidence and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 21% to 93% 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
Malcolm Ross has an approval rate of 47% on record since 2017. While this sits within the broad 21% to 93% range of judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle, his latest-period approval rate of 42% is 13 points lower than the office average of 55%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Malcolm Ross has fluctuated over time. After an initial 75% approval rate in 2017, his annual rates have varied between 42% and 53% through 2025. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 42% approval rate. An attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney help you prepare a strong case that can succeed regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Malcolm Ross has a 47% approval rate on record since 2017, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to meet the specific standards of your case.
