Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at both long-term records and recent trends. The 51% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 29% to 83% range established by the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. In the latest reporting period, the approval rate was 69%, which is 2 points lower than the office average of 71%. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide statistical context.
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 Selland'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 January 2016, the approval rate has shown a notable upward trend. While the rate was 41% in 2016, the most recent data indicates a shift, with the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate reaching 69%. This pattern suggests a gradual change in outcomes over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Selland'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 Charlotte hearing office
The most recent office on record for R. Dirk Selland is the Charlotte hearing office, which serves claimants across North Carolina. This office maintains a bench of 18 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte office, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 83% 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
The 51% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 29% to 83% range of the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. While the latest-period rate of 69% is slightly below the office average of 71%, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a clear upward trend in approval rates. Starting at 41% in 2016, the rate has risen over time, reaching 69% in the most recent 2026 fiscal year-to-date period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot select your judge, it is vital to have an attorney help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on thousands of past decisions, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to give your case the best chance of success.
