Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. Cynthia K. Hale's 57% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the range of 31% to 75% observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. With over 2,000 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past outcomes. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hale. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hale'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 yearly trend of Cynthia K. Hale's decisions shows fluctuation between 2016 and 2022. After an initial approval rate of 56% in 2016, the rate reached 65% in 2017 before trending to 49% in 2021, followed by 54% in 2022. This pattern reflects the varying nature of cases heard over the years. While yearly outcomes shift, the overall record remains grounded in the mid-50% range.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hale'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 Denver hearing office
Cynthia K. Hale's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, which serves you if you are in Colorado. This office is part of a larger regional network and hosts a bench of 22 judges. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on the specific medical and vocational evidence you present. You can see the Denver hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 75%. Because of this variance, focus on the strength of your own medical evidence. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Cynthia K. Hale's 57% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 31% to 75% range of the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 56% in 2016, peaking at 65% in 2017, and reaching 54% in 2022. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face.
The 57% approval rate on record for Cynthia K. Hale is a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
