Approval rates
The approval rate for Thomas L. Walters is based on 960 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the bench at the Lansing hearing office, where approval rates range from 37% to 68% for judges with records since 2016, this figure helps contextualize the local environment. These statistics are derived from historical data and should not be viewed as a guarantee of future results.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Walters. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Walters'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 Thomas L. Walters was 58% in 2016, 62% in 2017, and 49% in 2018. With 960 total decisions on record since 2016, the data reflects a period of activity at the Lansing hearing office. These fluctuations are common and often stem from changes in the types of cases assigned or the specific evidence presented in those hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walters'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 Lansing hearing office
Thomas L. Walters's most recent SSA record (January 2016 to September 2018) is at the Lansing hearing office, which serves you in Michigan. This office is part of a regional network tasked with processing disability appeals. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lansing
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lansing hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 68% on their records since 2016. While these figures vary, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Thomas L. Walters has an approval rate of 59% based on 960 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 68% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lansing hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Thomas L. Walters was 58% in 2016, 62% in 2017, and 49% in 2018. These shifts are based on 960 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge you might draw. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and are not predictions for your individual hearing. While the 59% rate for Thomas L. Walters provides context, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and the strength of your case. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
