Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at decisions on record over a consistent timeframe. For Clifford Shilling, we analyze 1,749 decisions dating back to 2016. This provides a view of how the record compares to the 47% to 79% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Shilling. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Shilling'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 Clifford Shilling has fluctuated across the 1,749 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 66% in 2016, the rate shifted in subsequent years. This pattern highlights the importance of the medical evidence you provide in your specific case, as the judge's approach to documentation can vary over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shilling'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 Fort Smith hearing office
The Fort Smith hearing office maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, your individual outcome depends on the specific medical evidence presented in your file. You can visit the Fort Smith Hearing Office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Smith
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 47% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Clifford Shilling has an approval rate of 48% across 1,749 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 47% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Smith hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Clifford Shilling has varied since 2016, starting at 66% and moving through different levels of activity over the years. Because these figures represent past trends, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
The 48% approval rate for Clifford Shilling is a historical average, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your success depends on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
