Approval rates
The 67% approval rate for Earl W. Shaffer reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 21% to 74% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from your judge's specific history. 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 Shaffer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Shaffer'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
Earl W. Shaffer decided 467 cases on record between January 2016 and September 2017. His approval rate moved from 64% in 2016 to 70% in 2017. This trend serves as a historical reference point rather than a guarantee for your specific hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shaffer'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
The Colorado Springs hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. While office-wide metrics provide context, every case is decided based on its own merits and the specific evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs, and their approval rates on record since 2016 vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 74%. This variance highlights why thorough preparation of your medical evidence is critical.
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
Earl W. Shaffer has an approval rate of 67% on his record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 74% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his approval rate from 64% in 2016 to 70% in 2017. This trend is based on his 467 total decisions on record during that period. Understanding these patterns is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can 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 testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Earl W. Shaffer approved 67% of cases on record since 2016, your result depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
