Approval rates
The 54% approval rate for Wendell M. Sims covers his record from 2016 to 2022, based on 2,180 decisions. When evaluating this against the broader bench at the Charlotte hearing office, where since-2016 approval rates for the 18 judges range from 29% to 83%, you can see that individual judicial patterns vary. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sims. 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 Sims'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 trend for Wendell M. Sims remained steady between January 2016 and September 2022. While the annual approval rate fluctuated between a high of 60% in 2017 and a low of 49% in 2020, the volume of 2,180 total decisions on record suggests a consistent approach to case evaluation. This stability indicates that the historical approach remained steady over the course of the available data.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sims'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 Charlotte hearing office
Wendell M. Sims's most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves you and other claimants across North Carolina. With 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. At the Charlotte hearing office, there are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with since-2016 approval rates ranging from 29% to 83%. Because approval rates vary across this bench, understanding the range of outcomes is a standard part of hearing 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
Wendell M. Sims has an approval rate of 54% on his record since 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, since-2016 approval rates range from 29% to 83%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
The approval rate for Wendell M. Sims remained generally steady across his 2,180 decisions on record from 2016 to 2022. While there were minor yearly fluctuations, such as a 60% rate in 2017 and 49% in 2020, the overall pattern does not show a significant upward or downward trend. If you are preparing for a hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate how your case fits within these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated, random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building the strongest possible case with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney present can help you navigate the questioning and ensure your testimony clearly explains how your condition prevents you from working.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence and testimony is the primary factor in a judge's decision. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
