Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Melinda Wells has a 46% approval rate over the full record since 2017, the most recent reporting period shows a 54% approval rate. This latest figure sits 9 percentage points above the Huntington WV office average of 45%. These comparisons rely on a docket of 2,899 decisions on record.
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 Wells'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 Melinda Wells has fluctuated since January 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021, the decisions trended upward, reaching 58% in 2022 and 2023. The latest fiscal year-to-date data shows a 54% approval rate, which remains consistent with this recent higher trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wells'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 Huntington WV hearing office
The Huntington WV Hearing Office serves you across the region. As of the most recent data, 4 judges have their most recent record at this location, which maintains an office-wide approval rate of 45% for the latest reporting period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Huntington WV
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 4 judges whose most recent office on record is the Huntington WV office. These judges have approval rates ranging from 38% to 51% on their records since 2017. 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
Melinda Wells has an approval rate of 46% since 2017, while the bench at the Huntington WV office ranges from 38% to 51%. In the most recent reporting period, Melinda Wells approved 54% of cases, which is 9 percentage points higher than the office average of 45%. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Melinda Wells has shifted over time. After reaching a low of 33% in 2020, the approval rate increased to 58% in 2022 and 2023, with the most recent partial year at 54%. An attorney can help you prepare evidence that aligns with the current standards of this bench.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with an attorney.
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 daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions to ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a guarantee of how Melinda Wells will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends heavily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your functional limitations. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your medical record to strengthen your claim.
