Approval rates
The approval rate for Clark S. Cheney is based on 194 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2017. This figure sits at the lower end of the 32% to 79% lifetime approval range observed among the 26 judges on record at the Baltimore office. These statistics provide a broad view of historical decision-making patterns within the office, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cheney. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cheney'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 Clark S. Cheney spans from 2016 to 2017, covering 194 total decisions. During this window, your approval rate moved from 37% in 2016 to 30% in 2017. This trend shows a slight decline over the available data period. While these patterns offer insight into past activity, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific case, which depends heavily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cheney'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 26 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%, reflecting the local environment for disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 26 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 79% over their respective lifetime records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Clark S. Cheney has a lifetime approval rate of 32% across 194 decisions. This places him at the lower end of the 32% to 79% approval range seen among the 26 judges on record at the Baltimore office. An attorney can help you understand how to build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The data for Clark S. Cheney shows an approval rate of 37% in 2016 and 30% in 2017. This indicates a slight downward trend over the recorded period. If you are concerned about how these patterns might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Baltimore hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a smart strategy.
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 you meet the criteria for disability. Having an attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a historical statistic and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Clark S. Cheney has a 32% lifetime approval rate, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you meet SSA requirements. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.