According to data compiled by the National Association of Social Security Claimant Representatives (a lawyer's organization), in 2009, the Appeals Council approved 2% of the 68,821 cases that were filed for total of 1376 claims. Initial decisions made by DDS had a 37% approval rate for the 2,686,152 claims file for a total of 993,876.

The ratio between claims approved by the DDS and claims approved by the AC is 993,876 to 1,376 or approximately 722 to 1.

A much higher percentage and a much higher total number are approved at the initial level than at the AC level. Heck, the DDS pays more claims on the initial level, 993,876 than the ALJ level, 63% of 554,025 or 349,035, by nearly three to one. Dispels the myth that EVERYONE is denied the first time. Blows it out of the water.

I am assuming NOSSCR knows what they are talking about in their published material. Still can't find the raw data.

http://www.socialsecuritydisabilityl...ll-chart-1.pdf