Approval rates
To understand how Clara H. Aranda compares to her peers, we look at her 57% approval rate on record since 2016 against the 32% to 83% range of other judges at the Miami OHO. In the most recent reporting period, she maintained a 64% approval rate, which sits 1 point above the office average of 63%. These figures are based on 2,461 decisions.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Aranda'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
Since 2016, Clara H. Aranda has issued 2,461 decisions. After an initial approval rate of 76% in 2016, the rate fluctuated, reaching 45% in 2023 before trending to 64% in the most recent reporting period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Aranda'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 Miami OHO hearing office
Clara H. Aranda's most recent office on record is the Miami OHO. This office maintains a bench of 13 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%, you can expect a review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Miami OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami OHO. With approval rates across this bench ranging from 32% to 83%, the specific judge assigned to your hearing can influence the process.
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
Clara H. Aranda has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016, placing her within the 32% to 83% range of judges at the Miami OHO. In the latest reporting period, her 64% approval rate is slightly above the office average of 63%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 2,461 decisions on record since 2016. While it reached a low of 45% in 2023, the most recent period shows an approval rate of 64%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 57% approval rate on record for Clara H. Aranda is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your functional limitations. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the standards required for approval. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
