Approval rates
The approval rate for Robert F. Spaulding is based on 1,680 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Eugene office, where the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location range from 32% to 81% in their approval rates over the same period. These aggregate figures provide context for the hearing environment but do not account for the specific medical evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Spaulding. 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 Spaulding'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, Robert F. Spaulding has maintained a consistent pattern of decisions. While the approval rate fluctuated in 2019 and 2020, the trend has stabilized in recent years, with 2024 data showing a 58% approval rate. This pattern across 1,680 decisions suggests a steady approach to evaluating disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Spaulding'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 Eugene hearing office
The Eugene hearing office serves you and other claimants across Oregon. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Claimants at this office can expect a formal hearing process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Eugene
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Eugene office, and their approval rates vary widely from 32% to 81%.
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
Robert F. Spaulding's 55% approval rate sits within the 32% to 81% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Eugene office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for Robert F. Spaulding has shown yearly variations, ranging from a low of 49% in 2020 to a high of 61% in 2018. The rate has remained steady in recent years, with 58% approval in 2024. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Eugene office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your judge assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities, work history, and the specific limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure you clearly communicate your limitations to the judge.
The 55% approval rate for Robert F. Spaulding is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
