Approval rates
The 24% approval rate for Susanne M. Cichanowicz is based on 1,672 decisions on record since 2017. The 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO range from 24% to 88% in their approval rates. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
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
Your judge's approval rate has varied across the 1,672 decisions on record since 2017. The annual approval rates were 41% in 2018, 26% in 2019, 19% in 2020, 20% in 2021, 24% in 2022, and 14% in 2023.
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
Susanne M. Cichanowicz's most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, with decisions there through September 2023. This office maintains a bench of 20 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO. Across this bench, approval rates range from 24% to 88%.
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 24% approval rate on record since 2017. Among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, approval rates range from 24% to 88%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a trend of change over the 1,672 decisions on record since 2017. The approval rate was 41% in 2018 and shifted to 14% in 2023. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert appear before the judge. The judge will ask questions to determine if your medical condition meets the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence for this process.
The 24% approval rate on record since 2017 represents historical data, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
