Approval rates
The approval rate for John D. Thompson Jr. is calculated from 1,079 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 33% to 78% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. Comparing these records provides context for your hearing process, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Thompson Jr.. 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 Thompson Jr.'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 John D. Thompson Jr. has fluctuated since 2016. After starting at 25% in 2016, the rate reached 43% in 2018. The most recent data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 22% across 35 decisions. These variations in the annual trend may reflect changes in the types of cases you and other claimants bring to the office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thompson Jr.'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 Jacksonville hearing office
John D. Thompson Jr.'s most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, with decisions there through September 2023. This office is staffed by 17 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 78% since 2016. Because of this variance, understanding the office-wide bench is useful for your preparation.
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
John D. Thompson Jr. has an approval rate of 35% since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 78% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for John D. Thompson Jr. has varied over time. It started at 25% in 2016 and reached 43% in 2018, with the most recent 2023 data showing a 22% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
