Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the 1,897 decisions on record since 2016. This data provides a view of how Melissa Warner has handled cases compared to the 30% to 78% approval range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma. These figures offer a statistical baseline, but they do not account for the specific medical evidence or vocational factors in your unique claim.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Warner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Warner'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 trend for Melissa Warner has fluctuated since 2016, showing a peak of 63% in 2020. With 1,897 total decisions on record, the data reflects a varied approach to case evaluation over the years. While the yearly percentages show movement, the overall pattern remains consistent with the broader administrative landscape.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Warner'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 Tacoma hearing office
Melissa Warner's most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, which serves claimants across Washington. This office is part of a regional network that manages disability claims. With 17 judges on the bench, the office maintains a process for evaluating evidence and conducting hearings.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma office, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because of this variance, understanding the office-wide bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
Melissa Warner's 56% approval rate falls within the 30% to 78% range established by the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 49% in 2016 and reaching 63% in 2020 before shifting in more recent years. With 1,897 decisions on record, these trends provide context, but an attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with current standards.
No, the Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
The 56% approval rate is a historical average of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends on the quality of your medical records and testimony, and an attorney can help you ensure your case is fully developed.
