Approval rates
The approval rate for Reuben Sheperd is 53% based on 3,062 decisions recorded since 2016. When compared to the broader bench at the Akron OH hearing office, where the 13 judges range from 43% to 80% in their since-2016 approval records, this figure sits within the established local spectrum. These statistics are derived from a large docket, offering a clear view of historical performance.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sheperd. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sheperd'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 2016, Reuben Sheperd has maintained a consistent pattern of approvals. While the 2016 start showed a rate of 33% over 8 decisions, the subsequent years demonstrate a more stabilized approach to case evaluation. The most recent data from 2024 shows a rate of 45% over 209 decisions. This trend pattern suggests a judge whose decision-making has remained relatively steady over the last eight years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sheperd'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 Akron OH hearing office
Reuben Sheperd's most recent office on record is the Akron OH hearing office, which serves you and other claimants across the region. This office features a bench of 13 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where your evidence quality is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. At the Akron OH hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 80%. For your preparation, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Reuben Sheperd's 53% approval rate falls within the 43% to 80% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Reuben Sheperd has remained relatively steady since 2016. While 2024 saw a rate of 45%, this reflects a single year of data within a larger context of 3,062 decisions. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this judge's specific bench.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this judge's specific bench.
The 53% approval rate on record for Reuben Sheperd is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends on the medical evidence and testimony you present at your hearing, which an attorney can help you organize.
