Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 67% approval rate for David B. Washington reflects every decision on record since 2016, which we compare against the 33% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis Hearing Office. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,058 decisions on record, providing a stable view of past patterns. 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 Washington. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Washington'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 David B. Washington has shown variation across the 3,058 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of stability, the yearly trend experienced fluctuations, including a notable increase in the final year of the data window. These shifts often stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence you present. The pattern suggests that while the judge has maintained a consistent baseline, the recent data reflects a shift in outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Washington'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 Minneapolis hearing office
David B. Washington's most recent office on record is the Minneapolis Hearing Office, which serves you if you are in Minnesota and the surrounding region. This office is staffed by 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, each managing a distinct docket of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the thoroughness of your medical documentation is critical. You can see the Minneapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis Hearing Office, and their approval rates range from 33% to 68% on their since-2016 records. Because this variance exists across the bench, understanding the general environment of the office is helpful. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
David B. Washington has an approval rate of 67% on record since 2016. This sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for David B. Washington has fluctuated across the 3,058 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was 67% in 2016, it reached 92% in 2022 based on a smaller sample of 36 decisions. These trends are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned to a judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated, random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Minneapolis Hearing Office. Because you cannot select your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you may face during this process.
A 67% approval rate on record since 2016 indicates how David B. Washington has decided past cases, but it is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
