Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 34% approval rate for Rita S. Eppler reflects her specific decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Columbus. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a statistical baseline for the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Eppler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Eppler'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 rate for Rita S. Eppler has shown variation across the 148 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 24% in 2016, 31% in 2017, 56% in 2018, and 33% in 2019. Because these trends are based on a finite set of decisions, they highlight how case mix and evidence quality can influence outcomes year over year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eppler'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 Columbus hearing office
Rita S. Eppler's most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, which serves you in Ohio. This office includes 17 judges whose most recent record is at this location. The office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%, reflecting the general environment for disability hearings in this area.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 34% to 83%. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Rita S. Eppler has an approval rate of 34% on her 148 decisions on record since 2016. This places her at the lower end of the 34% to 83% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy tailored to these local trends.
Yes, the data shows fluctuation in her approval rate over time. After an approval rate of 24% in 2016, the rate reached 56% in 2018 before moving to 33% in 2019. Understanding these historical patterns is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized.
The 34% approval rate on record for Rita S. Eppler is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
