Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see a 64% approval rate across all decisions since 2016, recent data shows a 73% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure sits 10 percentage points above the Columbus office's latest-period rate of 63%, 18 points above the state average, and 15 points above the national average. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your hearing.
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 Cromer'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 Kimberly S. Cromer spans 4,369 decisions from January 2016 through July 2026. The yearly approval trend has fluctuated, showing a mix of highs and lows before reaching a 73% approval rate in the most recent partial fiscal year. This latest period reflects an uptick compared to the historical average on record. These patterns provide insight into how cases have been handled over the last decade, though each hearing remains unique.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cromer'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 Columbus hearing office
Kimberly S. Cromer's most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across Ohio as part of a regional network of hearing sites. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 34% to 83% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Judge Cromer's 64% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within a broader bench range of 34% to 83% for judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 57% in 2018 to 73% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These variations are common and often reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. Having an attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your case is presented clearly.
