Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for James H. Scott based on his record since 2016. This data represents 987 total decisions, providing a clear view of his historical activity.
Judge Scott is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Scott isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Scott'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
James H. Scott's approval rate is based on 987 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2019. The yearly data shows an approval rate of 85% in 2016, 89% in 2017, 87% in 2018, and 82% in 2019. These figures reflect the judge's activity over the available data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Scott'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 Charleston SC hearing office
The Charleston SC hearing office serves you in South Carolina and the surrounding region. This office has a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston SC, 5 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. These 5 judges have an approval-rate range of 17% to 68% 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
James H. Scott's 87% approval rate on record since 2016 is higher than the 17% to 68% range observed among the 5 judges who decided cases at this office in the latest SSA file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific bench you are assigned.
James H. Scott's approval rate was 85% in 2016, 89% in 2017, 87% in 2018, and 82% in 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns relate to your specific case preparation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a complete picture of your limitations.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case outcome depends on the unique medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear before the judge.
