Approval rates
To understand how Turner compares to the broader bench, we look at both lifetime and latest-period data. While her lifetime approval rate sits at 75%, her latest-period performance shows a 75% approval rate, which is 18 percentage points higher than the Detroit office's latest-period average of 57%. These figures are derived from 4,044 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Turner'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
Turner has maintained a steady approval pattern throughout her record, which began in 2016. While yearly approval rates have fluctuated—ranging from a low of 69% in 2022 to a high of 85% in 2024—the judge has consistently returned to a stable baseline. The latest reporting period shows a 75% approval rate, which aligns closely with her long-term average. This trend suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Turner'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 Detroit hearing office
The Detroit hearing office serves you throughout Michigan and the surrounding region. With a bench of 12 judges on record, this office handles a high volume of cases with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in a favorable decision. See the Detroit hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016, 9 of whom reported in SSA's latest period, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 25% to 75%. Because of this variance, understanding the general environment of the Detroit office is vital. You can find more information on the Detroit hearing office page.
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
Turner's latest-period approval rate of 75% is 18 percentage points higher than the Detroit office's latest-period average of 57%. Because approval rates across the 12 judges on record at this office range from 25% to 75%, having an attorney who understands the local bench can be a significant advantage. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific expectations of the Detroit hearing office.
Turner's approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with a lifetime average of 75%. While there was a notable peak of 85% in 2024, her most recent data shows a return to 75%. This consistency is a helpful indicator of her decision-making patterns over time. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Since you cannot choose your judge, your best strategy is to focus on the strength and clarity of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a robust case file regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Because the judge's role is to determine if you meet the strict criteria for disability, preparation is essential. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of their past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Turner's 75% lifetime rate provides context, the outcome of your hearing will depend primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony presented. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented in a way that directly addresses the requirements for disability benefits.