Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 53% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a broad view of history, the latest-period figures offer a snapshot of current trends relative to the Tallahassee FL OHO bench. With 3,778 decisions on record, the data provides a foundation for understanding these patterns. 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 Herman'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 David Herman has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 65% in 2016, the rate shifted over time, with the latest period showing a 50% approval rate. This latest figure sits 18 points below the office average of 68% for the same timeframe. These shifts reflect changes in case mix or evidentiary standards over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Herman'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 Tallahassee Fl OHO hearing office
David Herman's most recent office on record is the Tallahassee FL OHO, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%, you should focus on building a robust medical record to support your specific disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tallahassee Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 5 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 77% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains essential 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
In the latest reporting period, David Herman had a 50% approval rate, which is 18 points lower than the 68% average for the Tallahassee FL OHO. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years. It began at 65% in 2016 and has seen various shifts, reaching 50% in the latest reporting period. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process regardless of your assigned judge.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 53% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA regulations are the most important factors in your hearing. An attorney can help you assess how your evidence aligns with these standards.
