Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 35% approval rate for Mark C. Ziercher reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 35% to 78% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases. 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 Ziercher. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ziercher'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 Mark C. Ziercher showed variation across the 809 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 29% in 2016, 35% in 2017, 44% in 2018, and 30% in 2019. This trend reflects the judge's historical decision-making pattern within the provided data window. The fluctuations observed in these years suggest that case outcomes can vary based on the specific evidence presented in each claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ziercher'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 Fayetteville NC hearing office
The Fayetteville NC hearing office serves you if you are in North Carolina and is part of the broader SSA regional network. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. If you are appearing here, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC, and they exhibit a broad range of approval rates from 35% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide landscape is helpful for calibrating your expectations.
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
Mark C. Ziercher has an approval rate of 35% on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 35% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the judge's approval rate has fluctuated over the years. It moved from 29% in 2016 to 35% in 2017, 44% in 2018, and 30% in 2019. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 35% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. A lower approval rate does not mean your case cannot be won; it simply means that meeting the evidentiary requirements is the most important step. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge's historical patterns.
