Approval rates
The approval rate for Sabrina M. Tilley stands at 64% over 2,299 lifetime decisions. This figure sits within the broader 39% to 78% lifetime approval range observed among the nine judges who have served at the Charleston WV office since 2016. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable view of past judicial patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tilley. 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 Tilley'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
Sabrina M. Tilley's record shows a dynamic trend since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 47% in 2016, the figures rose to a peak of 74% in 2019 before stabilizing in the mid-60% range in recent years. This pattern reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim over the course of 2,299 total decisions. The latest period indicates a steady continuation of this established decision-making style.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tilley'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 Charleston WV hearing office
The Charleston WV hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With a bench of nine judges on record since 2016, the office operates within a system designed to ensure consistent review of your complex medical and vocational evidence. You can visit the Charleston WV Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are nine judges on record at this office since 2016, three of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 39% to 78% on a lifetime basis. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Sabrina M. Tilley's 64% lifetime approval rate is positioned within the office-wide range of 39% to 78%. While this places her in the middle-to-upper tier of the bench, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively for this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 47% approval rate in 2016 to a peak of 74% in 2019, followed by a stabilization in the mid-60% range. This trend reflects the judge's evolving docket over 2,299 lifetime decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your current claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. Since you cannot control the assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that meets the evidentiary standards of any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial 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 regarding your ability to perform past work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is organized.
A 64% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most critical factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.