Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Frederick R. Waitsman is based on 743 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 24% to 94% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Waitsman. 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 Waitsman'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 Frederick R. Waitsman shifted over the period of 2016 to 2019. Starting at 65% in 2016, the rate moved to 62% in 2017, 60% in 2018, and 53% in 2019. With 743 total decisions on record, these trends reflect the judge's activity over that specific window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Waitsman'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 Atlanta North hearing office
Frederick R. Waitsman's most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves claimants in the Georgia region. You can see the Atlanta North hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 94% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Judge Waitsman has an approval rate of 61% across 743 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 24% to 94% range of the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The judge's approval rate was 65% in 2016 and moved to 53% by 2019. These fluctuations are common and can be influenced by the specific mix of cases a judge handles. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges. Your best path forward is to ensure your case is fully prepared with the necessary medical documentation. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you might face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a disability determination. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
