Approval rates
Comparing Karen Shelton's performance requires looking at both her long-term record and recent trends. Since 2016, she has maintained a 59% approval rate across 3,498 decisions. When compared to the 20% to 73% approval range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark, her record provides a clear statistical baseline. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Shelton'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 rate for Karen Shelton has shown a varied pattern since 2016, with yearly figures fluctuating between a low of 48% and a high of 66%. Her most recent data from the latest reporting period shows a 60% approval rate, which sits 5 points above the 55% office average for the same period. These trends suggest that while her approach remains consistent, the specific evidence in your case remains the primary factor in your outcome.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shelton'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 Newark hearing office
Karen Shelton's most recent office on record is the Newark hearing office. This office manages a diverse caseload with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can see the Newark hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Newark office, there are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with 10 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 20% to 73%.
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
Karen Shelton's 59% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 20% to 73% range observed among the 17 judges at the Newark office. While her latest-period rate is 5 points higher than the office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this judge.
Karen Shelton's approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 48% in 2016 and reaching 60% in the latest reporting period. This variation is common and often reflects changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific standards Karen Shelton has applied in her recent decisions.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the local hearing environment.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you navigate these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
