The numbers don't match up. NOSSCR state themselves that some data is not reflected in the data shown.

"Other non-disability eligibility factors may affect final eligibility for benefits , i.e., some cases with a favorable disability decision could ultimately be denied for failure to meet other eligibility requirements. Some disability claims not eligible on non-disability grounds will not be referred for a disability decision and are not reflected in the data shown. Decisions include Title II – Social Security Disability Insurance and Title XVI – Supplemental Security Income (SSI)cases. Some claimants may file concurrently for both Title II and Title XVI. Concurrent Title II/XVI cases are counted as one."

The appeals council have claimed to have processed 89,066 yearly, with 80, 040 cases still pending, in 2009. This chart only seems to considering the cases that the AC approved not the ones that are remanded back to the ALJ level, or the ones that have gone onto the Federal level and won, which could make the data a much higher percentage. I don't think they can keep an accurate number, because once it leaves the AC office they don't count the data of the cases won or denied. For now I am personally sticking with what I have read in the legal research of case law and what I have read was a lot of cases are sent back to the ALJ level and approved, not to mention the ones that are appealed at the Federal level and won there. So once again if you have an appeal at any level never lose hope.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answ...0hear%20yearly