Approval rates
The approval rate for Sabrina M. Tilley is based on 2,299 decisions rendered since January 2016. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Charleston WV hearing office, where the 9 judges on record since 2016 show an approval-rate range of 39% to 78%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific 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
Since January 2016, the approval rate for Sabrina M. Tilley has varied. After an initial approval rate of 47% in 2016, the rate reached 74% in 2019 before shifting in subsequent years. With 2,299 decisions on record, the data provides a view of how cases have been handled over this window. The most recent full year of data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 66%.
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 most recent office on record for Sabrina M. Tilley is the Charleston WV hearing office, with records through September 2023. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges. Understanding the local office environment is a key part of your hearing preparation. You can view the Charleston WV hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV hearing office, and their approval rates range from 39% to 78%. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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 has an approval rate of 64% since 2016. This sits within the 39% to 78% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Sabrina M. Tilley has fluctuated over the years, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 66% in 2023. These shifts are common in SSDI dockets and may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Sabrina M. Tilley will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your medical record.
