Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers is a standard part of hearing preparation. At the Colorado Springs office, the bench shows a wide variance in lifetime approval rates, ranging from 21% to 74%. These figures are based on the 467 lifetime decisions recorded for Earl W. Shaffer since 2016. 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
The approval record for Earl W. Shaffer shows a consistent pattern across the 2016 to 2017 data window. Starting with a 64% approval rate in 2016, the trend moved to 70% in 2017. With 467 lifetime decisions on record, the data reflects a steady approach to evaluating your disability claim. This pattern suggests that the judge maintains a stable methodology when reviewing your evidence and testimony.
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 throughout the region. With 10 judges on record since 2016, the office manages a diverse caseload. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Colorado Springs hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 4 judges currently reported in the latest SSA period. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 21% to 74%, the specific judge assigned to your case is a factor in your hearing process. You can find more information on the Colorado Springs hearing office page.
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 a lifetime approval rate of 67%, which sits within the broader office range of 21% to 74%. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
The data for Earl W. Shaffer shows a steady trend, moving from a 64% approval rate in 2016 to 70% in 2017. This consistency across 467 lifetime decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a strategy that aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific procedures used in the Colorado Springs office.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Earl W. Shaffer has approved 67% of cases, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.