Approval rates
The 56% approval rate for Kerith Cohen reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 48% to 60% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided in this jurisdiction.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cohen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cohen'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 approval rate for Kerith Cohen has shown variation across the 1,884 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of high approval in 2016, the rate shifted and remained within a consistent range through 2021, before reaching 47% in the final year of the record. This pattern reflects historical decision-making, though the most recent data points may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific evidence presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cohen'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office is the most recent office on record for Kerith Cohen as of September 2022. The office's bench consists of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Norfolk hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 48% to 60% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the bench as a whole 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
Kerith Cohen has an approval rate of 56% on record since 2016. This sits within the 48% to 60% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Kerith Cohen has fluctuated over the years, starting at 100% in 2016 and settling into a range between 47% and 62% in subsequent years. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact 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 you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. While Kerith Cohen has approved 56% of cases on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your specific work history. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
