Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record to their peers helps you understand the local landscape of the Social Security Administration hearing process. At the Tulsa OHO, lifetime approval rates among the 15 judges on record range from 37% to 81%. This variance highlights why your specific judge assignment matters for your case strategy. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Crutchfield. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Crutchfield'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
B. D. Crutchfield's record covers 3,055 decisions made between 2016 and 2021. The yearly approval trend shows a period of relative stability, with rates fluctuating between 56% and 68% over the course of the data window. The most recent data from 2021 indicates a 68% approval frequency. This pattern reflects the judge's historical approach to evaluating disability claims based on the evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Crutchfield'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Tulsa OHO hearing office
The Tulsa OHO serves you if you are in Oklahoma, operating as a critical hub for regional disability hearings. The office maintains a diverse bench of 15 judges who manage a high volume of cases. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Tulsa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 15 judges on record at the Tulsa OHO since 2016, with 6 currently reporting in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 37% to 81% on a lifetime basis. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
B. D. Crutchfield's 61% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader range of 37% to 81% observed among the 15 judges on record at the Tulsa OHO. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you understand how to present your specific claim effectively.
The judge's approval rate has shown movement over the 2016 to 2021 period, ranging from a low of 56% in 2018 to 68% in 2021. This trend reflects the judge's evolving docket and case mix. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing by analyzing how these patterns might relate to your claim.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among judges at the Tulsa OHO. You cannot request a specific judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any judge assigned to your 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. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.