Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 39% approval rate for Judson Scott reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This figure can be viewed alongside the 28% to 65% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Scott. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
The record for Judson Scott includes 109 decisions made between January 2016 and September 2016. During this period, the approval rate was 39%. This data provides a clear view of past activity, though it does not account for changes in case mix or evidence quality that may influence your outcome.
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 San Francisco hearing office
Judson Scott's most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves the California region and maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 65% 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
Judson Scott has an approval rate of 39% based on 109 decisions on record since 2016. Other judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 28% to 65%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
The data for Judson Scott covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the approval rate was 39%. Because the record is limited to this window, the rate remained steady throughout the available data. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with a qualified attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any ALJ.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of how Judson Scott will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you determine if your case is ready for a hearing.
