Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While James Cole Cartledge has a 66% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period performance shows a 96% approval rate, which sits 33 points above the Miami OHO latest-period average. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable look at historical trends.
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 Cartledge'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 record for James Cole Cartledge spans 3,578 lifetime decisions starting in 2016. His yearly trend shows a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021, followed by a consistent upward trajectory in recent years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern of higher approval rates, suggesting that his current approach to evaluating evidence differs from his earlier years on the bench.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cartledge'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Miami OHO hearing office
The Miami OHO serves you across the Florida region. With 13 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/miami-FL Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 8 of whom reported in the latest period. Across the office, lifetime approval rates vary widely, ranging from 32% to 83%.
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
In the latest reporting period, James Cole Cartledge approved 96% of cases, which is 33 points higher than the Miami OHO average of 63%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021, James Cole Cartledge has seen a consistent increase in approvals, reaching 97% in 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.