Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 45% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 32% to 63% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, the 39% approval rate compares to the office-wide rate of 54%, the state rate of 56%, and the national rate of 58%.
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 Cima'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, the approval rate for Brock Cima has varied. After a 54% approval rate in 2016, the figures fluctuated, reaching 47% in 2023 and 54% in 2025 before shifting to 39% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 4,172 decisions on record, these shifts reflect how case mix and evidence quality influence annual outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cima'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 Fort Worth hearing office
Brock Cima's most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can see the Fort Worth hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary from 32% to 63% on their since-2016 records.
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
Brock Cima has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 63% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Brock Cima has fluctuated over time. It began at 54% in 2016 and moved through various levels, including 47% in 2023 and 54% in 2025, before reaching 39% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you assess how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm 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 regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. While Brock Cima has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the specific evidence provided. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
