Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Frederick R. Waitsman is based on 743 lifetime decisions. When compared to the broader bench at the Atlanta North hearing office, which features a lifetime approval range of 24% to 94%, his rate sits within the established local spectrum. These figures are derived from a consistent data window starting in 2016.
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 record for Frederick R. Waitsman shows a steady volume of activity between 2016 and 2019. His approval rate was 65% in 2016, 62% in 2017, 60% in 2018, and 53% in 2019 across his 743 total decisions. This pattern reflects his approach to evaluating the evidence and medical documentation you provide.
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
The Atlanta North hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 24 judges on record. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 44%, which provides context for the local environment.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges on record at this office since 2016. With approval rates across the bench ranging from 24% to 94%, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant variable.
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 a lifetime approval rate of 61% across 743 decisions. This places him within the 24% to 94% range seen across the 24 judges on record at the Atlanta North office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Yes, his approval rate moved from 65% in 2016 to 53% in 2019. This trend is based on his total of 743 lifetime decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current evidence requirements for your claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your file.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Judge Waitsman has a 61% lifetime rate, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to prove disability. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific criteria the judge looks for.