The disability approval rate varies, depending on the level at which claims are reviewed. Cases heard by Administrative Law Judges, of course, have a significantly higher rate of approval than cases that are decided at the Initial claim and Reconsideration levels.

Where a claim is reviewed also has an influencing effect on approval rates. That is, DDS offices (Disability Determination Services) in various states have differing rates of approvals, just as hearing offices in different cities have differing rates of approvals.

What accounts for such differences in an allegedly objective system? Primarily the fact that the system is not as objective as the Social Security Administration might claim.

While the rules governing social security disability cases are the same in every state (SSD and SSI are federal programs), decision making based on a "human reading" of a claimant's medical records is, inherently and unavoidably, a subjective process.

It is also true, as well, that some judges are simply more open to approving cases, while other judges deny cases substantially more often than they approve them.

Nationally, however, about 30-40 percent of all claims for continuing and past due benefits (backpay) are approved at the initial level, while 15-20 percent of all reconsiderations are approved. AlJ hearings have an approximate 50 percent approval rate.