Approval rates
The approval rate for Kurt G. Ehrman is calculated from 3,224 decisions logged since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at his most recent office, where the 17 judges range from 35% to 85% in their approval rates over the same period. This range highlights the variance in decision-making patterns within the same office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ehrman. 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 Ehrman'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 Kurt G. Ehrman has shown notable fluctuations. After a period of relative stability in the late 2010s, the rate declined in 2021 and 2022 before trending upward in 2023 and 2024. With 3,224 total decisions on record, this pattern suggests that your judge's approach to case evaluation has evolved over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ehrman'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 St Petersburg Fl OHO hearing office
The St Petersburg FL OHO serves you and other claimants across Florida. As of September 2024, this office hosted a bench of 17 judges with varying decision patterns. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Petersburg Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the St Petersburg FL OHO, there are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 35% to 85%.
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
Kurt G. Ehrman has an approval rate of 37% since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 35% to 85% observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Kurt G. Ehrman has fluctuated over time. While he maintained rates near 40% in the early part of his record, the data shows a decline in 2021 and 2022, followed by a recovery to 45% in 2024. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, it is important to focus on building the strongest possible case for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
The 37% approval rate for Kurt G. Ehrman is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how he will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in a hearing. An attorney can help you review your evidence to ensure it meets the necessary standards.
