Approval rates
Understanding how a judge's approval rate compares to their peers can provide context for your hearing. The 75% approval rate for Rebecca D. Westfall is based on 349 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 21% to 76% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. These figures reflect historical data rather than a trend toward specific outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Westfall. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Westfall'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 Rebecca D. Westfall is based on 349 decisions on record starting in January 2016. Throughout the recorded period ending in September 2016, the approval rate remained at 75%. Because case assignment is random, this pattern serves as a baseline for understanding how past cases were decided at this office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Westfall'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 Dallas Downtown hearing office
Rebecca D. Westfall's most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, which serves you in the Texas region. This office features a bench of 18 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 76% on their since-2016 records. While individual rates vary, the process for presenting evidence remains consistent across the bench.
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
Rebecca D. Westfall has a 75% approval rate on 349 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 21% to 76% range of approval rates for the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Rebecca D. Westfall remained at 75% across the recorded period from January 2016 to September 2016. This consistency is based on 349 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and past work experience. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face during the hearing.
The 75% approval rate for Rebecca D. Westfall represents past decisions and 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 outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
