Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see a 57% approval rate across the entire record since 2017, recent data shows a 66% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 3 percentage points above the Washington office average of 63%, 7 points above the state average of 59%, and 8 points above the national average of 58%. These figures reflect past trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Cutlar'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 trend for Malik Cutlar has fluctuated since 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2019, the data indicates a recovery. The latest reporting period shows a 66% approval rate, which reflects a continuation of the upward trend observed since 2024. This pattern suggests that recent case outcomes have trended higher than the overall average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cutlar'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 Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves you if you are in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. As of the most recent office on record in July 2026, this location manages a diverse docket of disability claims. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Washington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 85% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Malik Cutlar's latest-period approval rate of 66% is 3 percentage points higher than the Washington office average of 63%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time. After reaching a low of 44% in 2019, the rate has trended upward, reaching 66% in the most recent reporting period. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your case, an attorney can help you understand your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among the judges at the Washington hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a complete picture of your disability.
The 57% approval rate on record for Malik Cutlar is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with disability requirements are the most important factors in your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence.
