Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at how a judge's approval rate compares to the broader bench. The 47% approval rate for Toni Shropshire is based on 2,161 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 27% to 66% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Shropshire. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Shropshire'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 Toni Shropshire has shown variation across the 2,161 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 50% in 2016 and a peak of 57% in 2017, the rate shifted to 42% in 2018, 40% in 2019, and 42% in 2020. This trend indicates a transition from higher approval levels in the early part of the data window to a more consistent pattern in later years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shropshire'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 Little Rock hearing office
Toni Shropshire's most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office. This office is part of a regional network tasked with processing disability appeals. With 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it handles a significant volume of cases.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 66% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide landscape is part of your preparation.
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
Toni Shropshire has a 47% approval rate on record since 2016. This places her within the 27% to 66% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Little Rock Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated, starting at 50% in 2016 and reaching 57% in 2017, before settling at 42% in 2018, 40% in 2019, and 42% in 2020. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
The 47% approval rate for Toni Shropshire is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
