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SSA Hearing Office

Richmond, VA Hearing Office

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Most Favorable Judges

Richmond, VA

1 Eklund, Eric
Approval Rate
57%
Full Approval
30%
Total Decisions
28,959
2 Hauser, William H.
Approval Rate
57%
Full Approval
48%
Total Decisions
15,914
3 Kennedy, Theodore P
Approval Rate
50%
Full Approval
43%
Total Decisions
18,720
4 Foster, Nicolas R
Approval Rate
49%
Full Approval
42%
Total Decisions
29,986
5 Johnson, Jr., Anthony J
Approval Rate
49%
Full Approval
38%
Total Decisions
23,753
6 Nunez, Maria
Approval Rate
47%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
9,534
7 Baker, Mark
Approval Rate
46%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
20,464
8 Foresman, Deborah
Approval Rate
42%
Full Approval
36%
Total Decisions
14,588
9 BaileySmith, L. R
Approval Rate
38%
Full Approval
32%
Total Decisions
21,116
10 Crovella, Linda S
Approval Rate
38%
Full Approval
32%
Total Decisions
13,102
11 Hurt, Patricia E
Approval Rate
35%
Full Approval
30%
Total Decisions
1,470
12 Knight, Suzette
Approval Rate
18%
Full Approval
10%
Total Decisions
22,970
Rank Judge Approval Rate Full Approval Total Decisions
1Eklund, Eric 57% 30% 28,959
2Hauser, William H. 57% 48% 15,914
3Kennedy, Theodore P 50% 43% 18,720
4Foster, Nicolas R 49% 42% 29,986
5Johnson, Jr., Anthony J 49% 38% 23,753
6Nunez, Maria 47% 40% 9,534
7Baker, Mark 46% 40% 20,464
8Foresman, Deborah 42% 36% 14,588
9BaileySmith, L. R 38% 32% 21,116
10Crovella, Linda S 38% 32% 13,102
11Hurt, Patricia E 35% 30% 1,470
12Knight, Suzette 18% 10% 22,970

Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer

SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own

WITHOUT A LAWYER
1×
baseline approval rate
Applicants without a lawyer
WITH A LAWYER
~3×
higher approval rate
Applicants with a lawyer
Check My Benefits

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37 — analysis of SSA ALJ adult disability decisions, FY 2007–2015. Applicants with a lawyer got approved at a rate nearly three times higher than those without. Individual case outcomes vary based on medical evidence, the specific judge, and quality of representation. Checking whether you qualify for a free benefits review takes 2 minutes.

Wait Time Trend

Average months from hearing request to decision — last 16 months

Wait (months)
024681012Jun '24Sep '25

Nearest SSA Field Offices

Where to apply or check on your claim in person

Accomac, VA
22581 CENTER PKWY, ACCOMAC, VA 23301
Alexandria, VA
5510 CHEROKEE AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22312
Bristol, VA
3280 LEE HIGHWAY, BRISTOL, VA 24202
Charlottesville, VA
1470 PANTOPS MTN PL, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911
Chesterfield, VA
600 SOUTHLAKE BLVD, NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA 23236

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Frequently Asked Questions

About This Data

Statistics come from SSA's Office of Hearings Operations reports and publicly available judge decision data. Approval rates count both full and partial approvals. Wait times reflect the average from hearing request to decision. Data is based on 2025-09-26 reports and may not reflect current conditions. This page is for informational purposes only.

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ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from the SSA. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys or accredited representatives in your area.