Approval rates
The following table displays the approval rate for Michael R. Swan compared to the range of other judges who have decided cases at the Chattanooga Hearing Office. This data is based on 2,823 decisions on record since 2016. These figures provide a statistical overview of past performance, though they do not serve as a prediction for your individual hearing.
Judge Swan is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Swan isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Swan'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, Michael R. Swan has issued 2,823 decisions. The yearly approval rate shows a pattern of fluctuation, starting at 70% in 2016 and reaching 94% in 2025. The data shows an upward trend in approval rates over the period from 2016 through 2025. The most recent decisions on record sit above the overall average of 81%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Swan'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 Chattanooga hearing office
The Chattanooga Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process governed by federal regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga Hearing Office, 7 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. These 7 judges range from 42% to 82% 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
Michael R. Swan has an 81% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 42% to 82% established by the 7 judges who have decided cases at the Chattanooga Hearing Office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
The approval rate for Michael R. Swan has varied over the years, moving from 70% in 2016 to 94% in 2025. While the rate has fluctuated, the overall trend since 2016 has been upward. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical shifts.
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 Chattanooga Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively for your hearing.
