Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Traci M. Hixson has a 64% approval rate since 2016, her latest-period approval rate is 70%. This latest-period figure sits 19 points above the Cleveland office average of 51%, 15 points above the state average of 55%, and 12 points above the national average of 58%. These figures are based on a large volume of decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation. 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 Hixson'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
Since 2016, Traci M. Hixson has issued 4,173 decisions. Her approval rate has shown a generally upward trend over the last decade, moving from 53% in 2016 to 70% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. While there were fluctuations in the intervening years, the recent data reflects a consistent pattern of approvals. This latest-period performance remains higher than the office-wide average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hixson'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 Cleveland hearing office
Traci M. Hixson's most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, which serves claimants across OH. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. At the Cleveland hearing office, there are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 11 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench range from 17% to 70% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, 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
Traci M. Hixson's latest-period approval rate of 70% is higher than the Cleveland office average of 51%. Among the 22 judges at this office, approval rates vary, ranging from 17% to 70% since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the data shows a shift in her approval patterns. Starting at 53% in 2016, her approval rate has trended upward, reaching 70% in the most recent partial year of 2026. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational expert or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you navigate these proceedings and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of your outcome. While Traci M. Hixson's 64% rate since 2016 is a useful data point, your individual case depends on the specific evidence, medical documentation, and testimony provided. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
