Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Dory Sutker reflects 2,338 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office, approval rates range from 26% to 86%.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sutker. 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 Sutker'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
Dory Sutker's approval rate has fluctuated since 2016, ranging from a low of 55% in 2020 to a high of 66% in 2016 and 2024. These variations reflect the specific mix of cases and evidence presented over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sutker'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 Manchester hearing office
Dory Sutker's most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 26% to 86% 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
Dory Sutker has an approval rate of 61% across 2,338 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 26% to 86% seen among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Dory Sutker has fluctuated, starting at 66% in 2016 and reaching 66% in 2024. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case evidence prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities, pain levels, and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Dory Sutker has approved 61% of cases on record since 2016, your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
