Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. This judge's 62% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 47% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville. With 1,541 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Smith Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Smith Jr.'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 Alfred M. Smith Jr. showed consistency before shifting in the final year of the record. Between 2016 and 2017, the rate held steady at 62%, followed by an increase to 68% in 2018. By 2019, the rate moved to 52% across 366 decisions. This latest period reflects a departure from the earlier trend, which may be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Smith Jr.'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 Nashville hearing office
Alfred M. Smith Jr.'s most recent SSA record (September 2019) is at the Nashville hearing office. This office serves you and other claimants throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench represents a wide spectrum of decision patterns. You can see the Nashville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 47% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Four of these judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. For preparation purposes, 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
Judge Smith Jr. has a 62% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 47% to 75% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. It remained at 62% in 2016 and 2017, rose to 68% in 2018, and was 52% in 2019. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your case, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned to your hearing.
The 62% approval rate on record since 2016 is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete before your hearing.
