Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While your judge's overall approval rate since 2016 is 45%, recent performance shows a 47% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This is compared against the broader bench at the Phoenix Downtown office, where judges range from 32% to 78% in their since-2016 records. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Waters'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 Carla L. Waters has fluctuated over the 3,987 decisions on record since 2016. Yearly trends show approval rates oscillating between 38% and 49% over the last decade. The latest period approval rate of 47% remains consistent with the long-term average. This pattern suggests a steady approach to case evaluation, with recent rates reflecting minor variance from the historical mean.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Waters'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 Phoenix Downtown hearing office
Carla L. Waters' most recent office on record is the Phoenix Downtown hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Arizona and is staffed by a bench of 12 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 57%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the specific judge you draw is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix Downtown office. These judges demonstrate a wide range of approval rates, from 32% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the office-wide range helps you calibrate your expectations for the hearing process.
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
Carla L. Waters has an approval rate of 45% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 32% to 78% observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix Downtown office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this specific bench.
The approval rate for Carla L. Waters has seen yearly fluctuations, starting at 38% in 2016 and reaching 47% in the most recent reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence provided. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have a strong, well-documented case regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Working with an attorney can help you feel more prepared and confident during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Carla L. Waters has approved 45% of cases since 2016, your individual result depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors in your file. An attorney can help you determine if your documentation is ready for a hearing.
