Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent periods to ensure an accurate picture of a judge's record. While Paul Wood holds a 38% lifetime approval rate, his most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 41%. This latest figure sits 2 percentage points below the Little Rock office average of 43%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Wood'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 record for Paul Wood spans 3,402 decisions since 2016, providing a stable view of his decision-making patterns. His yearly approval trend has fluctuated, with the most recent data reflecting a slight rise compared to his 2025 performance. This latest period indicates a continuation of his established pattern rather than a sharp departure. Understanding these trends helps you and your representative focus on the evidence most relevant to his typical review process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wood'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 Little Rock hearing office
The Little Rock hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region. With a bench of 16 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 43%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Little Rock Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 8 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 66% over their respective lifetimes. You can expect a consistent administrative process regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Paul Wood holds a 38% lifetime approval rate. Across the Little Rock bench, lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 27% to 66%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Paul Wood has fluctuated over his record starting in 2016. While his lifetime rate is 38%, his most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 41%. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy that addresses these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim 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 case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.