Approval rates
When evaluating your chances, it is useful to compare a judge's record against the broader bench. The 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Denver show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 31% to 75% based on their records since 2016. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a baseline for understanding how different adjudicators approach disability claims. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wascher. 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 Wascher'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
Since 2016, your approval rate for James D. Wascher has shown a varied trend. After an initial period of fluctuation, the rate moved through several cycles, reaching a high of 66% in 2017 and a low of 53% in 2021. The most recent full year of data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 56%. This pattern suggests that while the judge's approach has remained relatively consistent, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational testimony you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wascher'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 Denver hearing office
The Denver hearing office serves you throughout the region, acting as a central hub for disability hearings in Colorado. This office is associated with a bench of 22 judges who manage a high volume of cases. When you appear here, you can expect a formal process focused on the objective medical evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Denver Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. At the Denver office, there are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges exhibit a diverse range of approval rates, reflecting the individualized nature of disability adjudication. You can review the full office roster on the Denver hearing office page.
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
James D. Wascher's approval rate of 58% sits within the broader range of 31% to 75% observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Denver. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this office.
The approval rate for James D. Wascher has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a peak of 66% in 2017 to 53% in 2021. These variations often reflect changes in the types of cases heard or shifts in evidence requirements rather than a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you navigate these shifts.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated, random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends on the quality of your medical records and how well your testimony aligns with the requirements of the Social Security Administration. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
