Approval rates
The approval rate for Raymond L. Souza is based on 1,215 decisions rendered since 2016. When compared to the 25% to 60% approval range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office, this figure provides a baseline for understanding the judge's historical decision-making. These statistics are derived from SSA records to help you understand the landscape of your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Souza. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Souza'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 2016, Raymond L. Souza has shown a steady pattern of approvals. While the annual volume of decisions has fluctuated, the approval rate remained consistent through the middle of the record window before showing minor variance in recent, lower-volume years. This data reflects 1,215 decisions on record. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, providing a stable baseline for you as you prepare for a hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Souza'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 Springfield MO hearing office
The Springfield MO hearing office is the most recent office on record for this judge, with activity through September 2024. The bench at this office includes 10 judges with varying approval patterns, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 40%. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MO
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 25% to 60%. Because each judge approaches evidence differently, you should tailor your preparation to the specific requirements of the hearing process.
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
Raymond L. Souza has an approval rate of 60% since 2016, which is at the top of the 25% to 60% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Raymond L. Souza has remained relatively steady across his 1,215 decisions on record since 2016. While yearly percentages have shifted, the overall pattern suggests a consistent approach to case evaluation. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical conditions. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's historical approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Raymond L. Souza's 60% rate is one factor, but the quality of your medical evidence and testimony is what matters most. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
