Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Scott C. Shimer has a 50% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 51%. This sits 4 points below the Franklin TN office average of 55%, 6 points below the Tennessee state average of 57%, and 7 points below the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide a clear statistical picture.
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 Shimer'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 January 2016, Scott C. Shimer has issued 4,035 decisions. The yearly trend shows a fluctuating pattern, with approval rates reaching a high of 53% in 2017 and 2018 before dipping to 43% in 2020. In the most recent partial fiscal year, the rate was 51%. This latest period reflects a continuation of a stable pattern in his decision-making process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shimer'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 Franklin TN hearing office
The Franklin TN hearing office serves claimants across the region. With a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it handles a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%, providing a benchmark for the area. You can see the Franklin TN Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Franklin TN
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Franklin TN, 10 of whom decided cases in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 76% on their records since 2016.
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
Scott C. Shimer has an approval rate of 50% since 2016. This places him within the broader range of 29% to 76% observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Franklin TN. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
His approval rate has shown fluctuations over time, starting at 49% in 2016 and reaching 51% in the most recent partial fiscal year. While these variations occur, his overall pattern remains consistent with his 50% average since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
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 focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Factors like the quality of your medical evidence and your work history are often more critical to the final decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
