Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Todd Spangler's 49% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a baseline, while his latest-period rate of 53% offers a view of more recent activity. These figures are evaluated against the 13% to 77% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office.
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 Spangler'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 Todd Spangler has fluctuated across the 2,996 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching a peak of 56% in 2017, the annual approval rate saw a decline, hitting a low of 40% in 2023. Recent data shows a shift, with the latest-period approval rate of 53% sitting 5 percentage points above the Knoxville office's latest-period average of 48%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Spangler'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 Knoxville hearing office
The Knoxville hearing office serves you and other claimants in the region. As the judge's most recent office on record as of July 2026, it maintains a bench of 16 judges who have recorded decisions since 2016. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 48%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Knoxville
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 Knoxville hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 13% to 77% on their since-2016 records.
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
Todd Spangler's 49% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 13% to 77% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville hearing office. While his latest-period approval rate of 53% is 5 percentage points higher than the office average, your individual case outcome depends on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Todd Spangler has varied over time. It started at 50% in 2016, peaked at 56% in 2017, and reached a low of 40% in 2023 before rising to 52% in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific case evidence aligns with current standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your past employment and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
