Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 48% approval rate for Frederick Andreas reflects his entire record since 2016, which compares against the 17% to 70% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. This broad range highlights why understanding the bench at your hearing office is important. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Andreas. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Andreas's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Frederick Andreas has shown shifts across his 3,387 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability in the late 2010s, the rate saw an increase in 2022 and 2023 before moderating in 2025. This fluctuation suggests that your recent decisions may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific evidence presented in your filings. The latest period reflects a departure from the higher approval rates seen in the 2023-2024 window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Andreas's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Cleveland hearing office
The Cleveland hearing office serves you and other claimants across Ohio. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, reflecting a diverse bench with varying historical approval patterns. You should be prepared for a formal administrative process where evidence quality is paramount. You can see the Cleveland hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Because this variance exists across the bench, your preparation remains the most critical factor in your hearing.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Frederick Andreas has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader 17% to 70% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. While he maintained a lower approval rate between 2016 and 2021, the data shows an increase in 2022 and 2023, followed by 49% in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any outcome.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 48% approval rate for Frederick Andreas is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
