Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 68% approval rate for Verley J. Spivey reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 24% to 94% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North. This docket of 877 decisions provides a stable baseline for understanding past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Spivey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Spivey'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 Verley J. Spivey remained steady across the data window starting in January 2016. With 507 decisions in 2016, 477 in 2017, and 51 in 2018, the judge maintained a consistent approach to case evaluation. These 877 total decisions on record show a pattern that does not indicate significant shifts in decision-making over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Spivey'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 Atlanta North hearing office
Verley J. Spivey's most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office, which serves you if you are in the Georgia region. This office is staffed by a bench of 24 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta North office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 94% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge evaluates evidence differently, understanding the range of outcomes at your specific office is helpful.
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
Verley J. Spivey has an approval rate of 68% based on 877 decisions since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 24% to 94% seen among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Verley J. Spivey remained steady, with 69% in 2016, 66% in 2017, and 68% in 2018. This consistency across 877 decisions suggests a stable approach to evaluating your disability claim. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your hearing, an attorney can help you review your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge at the Atlanta North office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Verley J. Spivey has an approval rate of 68% on 877 decisions since 2016, your result depends on the unique medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
