Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While David W. Engel holds an 80% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period performance shows a 91% approval rate, which sits 28 points above the Tulsa OHO latest-period average of 63%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 4,173 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation. These rates reflect historical trends rather than a guarantee of your outcome.
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 Engel'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, your approval trend for David W. Engel has shown a steady upward trajectory. After starting at 72% in 2016, the rate climbed consistently, reaching 90% in the most recent reporting period. This pattern suggests a high level of consistency in how evidence is weighed over the last decade. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, with the judge maintaining a significantly higher approval rate than the broader office average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Engel'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 and other claimants across Oklahoma and the surrounding region. With 15 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. See the Tulsa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 37% to 81% on lifetime records. 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
In the latest reporting period, David W. Engel approved 91% of cases, which is 28 percentage points higher than the Tulsa OHO latest-period average of 63%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
Yes, the data shows a steady increase in approval rates since 2016. While he began with a 72% approval rate, recent data shows he has reached 90% in the latest period. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions David W. Engel is likely to ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for your hearing.