Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a wide spread in approval rates, with a median of 53% but outcomes ranging from 17% to 87%. Because cases are assigned randomly, which judge you draw can influence your hearing's outcome. This variation means your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of the specific judge presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James H. Scott | 87% | 987 | |
| 2 | William P. Diggs | 68% | 3,604 | |
| 3 | Richard LaFata | 59% | 2,494 | |
| 4 | Philip J. Healy | 56% | 1,101 | |
| 5 | Nicole S. Forbes-Schmitt | 54% | 3,535 | |
| 6 | Danette Mincey | 53% | 805 | |
| 7 | Marcus Christ | 53% | 2,357 | |
| 8 | Ethan A. Chase | 53% | 3,074 | |
| 9 | Peggy McFadden-Elmore | 51% | 1,081 | |
| 10 | Roseanne P. Gudzan | 51% | 57 | |
| 11 | Richard L. Vogel | 50% | 514 | |
| 12 | Carl Bennett Watson | 46% | 3,387 | |
| 13 | Ronald Sweeda | 44% | 2,892 | |
| 14 | Edward T. Morriss | 26% | 1,854 | |
| 15 | Tammy Georgian | 17% | 2,616 |
How long you'll wait
At Charleston, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
Your hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review the evidence that led to your initial denial. With an 8-month wait, you have a window to update your medical records with recent treatment notes, diagnostic tests, and statements from your doctors. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and how your symptoms limit your ability to perform basic work tasks. During the hearing, a Vocational Expert will likely testify about whether jobs exist for someone with your specific limitations. You can question this expert to clarify why your condition prevents sustained employment. A decision is typically mailed to you several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span 70 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Charleston panel can help you anticipate the specific concerns your judge may have and ensure your medical record is complete before you walk into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Charleston, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, so it is important to use this time to organize your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is ready for your hearing date.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary significantly across the panel, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this office.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if you have a valid legal reason to believe a judge is biased, an attorney can advise you on the formal process for requesting a change.
While not required, having an attorney is a significant advantage. Represented claimants are often more successful, especially at offices with a wide spread in judge approval rates like Charleston. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process.
