Approval rates
The 33% approval rate for Roger W. Thomas reflects his decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 33% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Thomas. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Thomas'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 Roger W. Thomas has remained steady across the 815 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, the approval rate was 33% over 629 decisions, followed by a 35% approval rate over 325 decisions in 2017. This consistent pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thomas'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 Minneapolis hearing office
Roger W. Thomas's most recent SSA record (September 2017) is at the Minneapolis hearing office. This office features a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Minneapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 68% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary across this bench, understanding the local context 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
Roger W. Thomas has an approval rate of 33% on his 815 decisions on record since 2016. This places him at the lower end of the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy tailored to the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Roger W. Thomas has remained relatively steady. He recorded a 33% approval rate in 2016 and a 35% rate in 2017. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you review the evidence needed to build a strong case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having your medical records and vocational evidence organized with professional help. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your medical conditions, daily limitations, and past work history. Working with an attorney can help you understand what to expect and ensure your testimony clearly explains how your impairments prevent you from working.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While the 33% rate on record for Roger W. Thomas provides context, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence to improve your chances of a favorable decision.
