Approval rates
Comparing judicial approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. The 73% approval rate for Robert Spurlin reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which compares against the 21% to 87% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Ft Lauderdale. This broad range highlights why understanding the specific bench is vital.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Spurlin. 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 Spurlin'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 883 decisions on record for Robert Spurlin since 2016 reveal a shift in approval patterns over time. The data shows an approval rate of 76% in 2016 and 79% in 2017, followed by 57% in 2018. This trend indicates that the judge's decision-making has not remained static over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Spurlin'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 Ft Lauderdale hearing office
Robert Spurlin's most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. This office features a bench of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a review of your medical documentation and vocational history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 87%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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 Spurlin has a 73% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 87% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a variation in approval rates over time. While the rate was 76% in 2016 and 79% in 2017, it moved to 57% in 2018 across 233 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare for the questions the judge is likely to ask.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
