Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's record requires looking at the full scope of their available data. Gregory O. Varo has presided over 1,313 lifetime decisions since 2016, providing a clear view of his decision-making history. This lifetime rate of 79% sits at the upper end of the 21% to 79% range observed across the Lexington office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Varo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Varo'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 decision pattern for Gregory O. Varo shows a consistent approach to disability claims. Since his record began in 2016, his annual approval rates have remained steady, moving from 77% in 2016 to 75% in 2019. This stability suggests a reliable methodology in how he evaluates your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Varo'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Lexington hearing office
The Lexington hearing office serves you throughout Kentucky, operating under the broader Social Security Administration framework. The office maintains a bench of 18 judges on record, ensuring that cases are processed through a diverse set of judicial perspectives. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 50%, you should prepare for a rigorous review of your medical documentation.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Lexington hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 10 judges currently reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across these peers vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 79%.
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
Gregory O. Varo's lifetime approval rate of 79% is at the high end of the 21% to 79% range seen among the 18 judges on record at the Lexington office. Because case assignment is random, you may be assigned to any judge on the bench. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Gregory O. Varo's approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout his record. Starting at 77% in 2016, his annual rates have stayed within a consistent range, ending at 75% in 2019. This stability indicates a predictable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your specific medical evidence aligns with this pattern, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to distribute cases randomly among the available judges at the Lexington office. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Because the process is complex, an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly organized for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee an outcome for your specific case. While Gregory O. Varo has a 79% lifetime approval rate, every claim is decided based on its own unique medical evidence and legal merits. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.