Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Cynthia S. Harmon maintains a 55% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows a 62% approval rate, which sits 2 points above the Grand Rapids office average of 60%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 4,242 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Harmon'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 record for Cynthia S. Harmon spans from 2016 to 2026, showing a steady evolution in her decision-making. After a period of lower approval rates in 2018, the trend has shifted upward, with the most recent data showing a 61% approval rate in 2026. This latest performance represents a notable increase compared to her lifetime average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harmon'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
The Grand Rapids hearing office serves you if you are in Michigan and the surrounding region. With a bench of 10 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 60%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Cynthia S. Harmon is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 43% to 88% on lifetime records.
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 S. Harmon's latest-period approval rate of 62% is 2 points higher than the Grand Rapids office average of 60%. Because approval rates across the 10 judges on record at this office range from 43% to 88%, your specific judge can influence your hearing outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After an approval rate of 44% in 2018, her annual approval rates have generally trended upward, reaching 61% in 2026. Understanding these patterns is part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney to prepare for any judge is the best way to ensure your case is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You will likely be asked about your daily activities and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions Cynthia S. Harmon or any other judge may ask.
A 55% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a hearing.