Approval rates
Comparing approval rates provides context for how different judges approach the evidence in disability claims. J. Dell Gordon's 53% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 45% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City. These figures are based on 1,494 total decisions, providing a window into past performance.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gordon. 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 Gordon'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 J. Dell Gordon showed variation across the 1,494 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 61% in 2016, 49% in 2017, 47% in 2018, and 53% in 2019. This trend reflects the shifting nature of case evidence and the specific requirements of the claims heard during those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gordon'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 Oklahoma City hearing office
The Oklahoma City hearing office serves you and other claimants across Oklahoma and the surrounding region. This office has seen 17 judges with records since 2016, maintaining a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary driver of a favorable decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City
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 Oklahoma City, and their approval rates vary significantly across the bench. With a range from 45% to 85% for these judges, the specific judge assigned to your hearing is a factor in 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
J. Dell Gordon's 53% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 45% to 85% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 61% in 2016 and moving to 53% by 2019. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented, and an attorney can help you understand how to best present your medical records.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. An attorney can help you prepare regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face during your hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While J. Dell Gordon has approved 53% of cases since 2016, your outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence, and an attorney can help you ensure your file is complete.
