Approval rates
The approval rate for Daniel Curran is based on 3,180 decisions recorded between January 2016 and September 2024. Within the Dallas North OHO, the bench shows a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 24% to 88% for judges with records since 2016. These figures offer a look at historical patterns within the office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Curran. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Curran'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 Daniel Curran has experienced fluctuations, moving from a high of 69% in 2017 to a low of 46% in 2022. Following this period, the rate returned to 60% in 2023 and remained at 60% through the 2024 data window. This trend shows a return to the mid-range levels observed earlier in the record. These patterns reflect historical decision-making across the 3,180 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Curran'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
The Dallas North OHO serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 20 judges on record. As a major hearing office, it handles a significant volume of cases. You can see the Dallas North OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Dallas North OHO, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a broad range of approval rates, from 24% to 88%, highlighting the importance of being prepared for your specific hearing. 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
Daniel Curran's 58% approval rate sits within the broader range of 24% to 88% observed among the 20 judges at the Dallas North OHO. Because your case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. After reaching 69% in 2017, the rate saw a decline to 46% in 2022 before stabilizing at 60% in 2023 and 2024. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational or medical experts. Having legal representation can help ensure your evidence is organized and presented to meet the judge's requirements. An attorney can help you.
The 58% approval rate is a historical statistic based on 3,180 decisions since 2016, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability under SSA rules. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case.
