Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's record requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. While Judge Boylan maintains a 55% lifetime approval rate, the 14 judges on record at the Cincinnati office show a wide range of outcomes, from 31% to 77%. This variance highlights why the specific judge assigned to your case can influence the process. 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 Boylan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Boylan'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, Judge Boylan has presided over 2,796 lifetime decisions. His yearly approval trend shows fluctuation, moving from 53% in 2016 to 60% in 2017, and most recently 45% in 2022. These shifts reflect how the judge has navigated different case volumes and evidentiary standards over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Boylan'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 Cincinnati hearing office
The Cincinnati hearing office serves claimants throughout the Ohio region. With 14 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload and maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Cincinnati hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 77% on a lifetime basis. You can find more information on the office's overall performance on the Cincinnati hearing office page.
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
Judge Boylan has a lifetime approval rate of 55% across 2,796 decisions. This places him within the broader range of the 14 judges on record at the Cincinnati office, who collectively span from 31% to 77% in their lifetime approval rates. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of the Cincinnati bench.
Yes, the judge's approval rate has fluctuated since 2016, starting at 53% and reaching 60% in 2017 before adjusting in subsequent years. These trends are common as case mixes and evidentiary standards evolve. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal administrative 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 your condition meets the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for this hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. While it provides context for the judge's history, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare a strong argument for your hearing.