Approval rates
The approval rate for Paul M. Stimson is based on 2,979 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for comparison against the broader bench at the Memphis hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 44% to 80% over the same period. Understanding how this judge's history aligns with office-wide trends is a helpful step in preparing your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Stimson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Stimson'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, the approval rate for Paul M. Stimson has shown a varied trend, starting at 55% and reaching a peak of 72% in 2021 before settling at 61% in 2023. With 2,979 total decisions on record, the data reflects a significant volume of activity over the seven-year window. The fluctuations in the annual approval percentages suggest that the judge's decision-making has adapted to changing case volumes and evidence standards over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stimson'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 Memphis hearing office
Paul M. Stimson's most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office. This office hosts a bench of 14 judges, each with varying approval rates on their since-2016 records. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Memphis hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 80% on their since-2016 records. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes at this office provides helpful context for your hearing.
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
Paul M. Stimson has an approval rate of 64% based on 2,979 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 44% to 80% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Memphis. An attorney can help you understand how to best present your specific medical evidence to this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Paul M. Stimson has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 55% in 2016 to a high of 72% in 2021. Recent data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 61%. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge 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 limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Paul M. Stimson will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove you meet SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
