Approval rates
The approval rate for Susanne M. Cichanowicz is based on a docket of 1,672 lifetime decisions. This figure sits within the broader range of the Dallas North OHO bench, where lifetime approval rates among the 20 judges on record vary from 24% to 88%. These statistics provide a look at historical trends rather than a guarantee of future outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cichanowicz. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cichanowicz'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 2017, the approval rate for Susanne M. Cichanowicz has shown a downward trend, moving from 41% in 2018 to 14% in 2023. This pattern reflects a shift in the volume of allowances relative to the total decisions heard over the last several years. While yearly data fluctuates, the overall lifetime rate of 24% captures the breadth of her record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cichanowicz'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 Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 20 judges on record. As part of the Texas disability adjudication system, this office handles a high volume of cases requiring careful evidence preparation. You can see the Dallas North OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. Because approval rates vary significantly across the bench, understanding the office-wide context is helpful.
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
Susanne M. Cichanowicz has a lifetime approval rate of 24%, which sits at the lower end of the 24% to 88% range seen among the 20 judges on record at the Dallas North OHO. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards often required in this office.
Yes, the data shows a decline in approval rates from 41% in 2018 to 14% in 2023. Understanding these trends is part of preparing a comprehensive case strategy with a qualified attorney.
No, the SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your evidence to meet the requirements of any judge assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the questions the judge may ask.
The 24% lifetime approval rate for Susanne M. Cichanowicz is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with SSA criteria.