Who decides cases at this office
The panel in Las Vegas exhibits a wide spread in allowance rates, with outcomes varying between 40% and 86% depending on the judge. Because of this variation, your case must be prepared to meet the standards of the most rigorous judge on the panel. Judges are assigned randomly, and each weighs medical and vocational evidence differently, making thorough preparation essential regardless of who is assigned to your file.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donald R. Colpitts | 80% | 14,029 | |
| 2 | Thomas M. Ray | 68% | 26,073 | |
| 3 | David K. Gatto | 57% | 28,842 | |
| 4 | Neil Morholt | 50% | 22,140 | |
| 5 | Barry H. Jenkins | 48% | 19,427 | |
| 6 | Norman L. Bennett | 46% | 21,739 | |
| 7 | Arthur Zeidman | 45% | 23,359 | |
| 8 | John Cusker | 42% | 13,805 | |
| 9 | Cynthia R. Hoover | 35% | 31,805 | |
| 10 | Gary L. Vanderhoof | 31% | 10,507 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Las Vegas, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 11 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
The 11-month wait in Las Vegas provides a runway to build a robust file before you face an ALJ. Your primary task is to update your medical records with recent clinical notes, as the Social Security Administration requires evidence that reflects your current functional limitations. During your hearing, a vocational expert will likely testify about jobs you can perform; you must be prepared to explain why your specific symptoms prevent that work. Ensure you submit all evidence well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. Your hearing will be presided over by one of the nine judges on the panel, and you will receive a written decision by mail.
When a panel's allowance rates span over 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants spend the 11-month wait simply waiting, but an experienced representative uses this time to pressure-test your medical record against the specific criteria the panel uses. A well-documented file that anticipates the vocational expert's questions is the most effective way to navigate the judge-to-judge variation in Las Vegas.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Las Vegas, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.