Approval rates
This table compares the approval rate of Mark Hockensmith against the broader bench at the Dayton hearing office. By looking at the 2,010 decisions on record since January 2016, you can see how this judge aligns with the local range of 46% to 69%. Latest-period data also provides a snapshot of recent activity compared to national and state averages.
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 Hockensmith'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 Mark Hockensmith has varied across the 2,010 decisions on record since January 2016. After an initial period of fluctuation, the data shows a shift toward higher approval rates in more recent years. While the latest reporting period shows a 100% approval rate over a small sample of 3 decisions, this reflects a continuation of the recent pattern observed since 2025.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hockensmith'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 Dayton hearing office
Mark Hockensmith's most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office. With 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a consistent process for evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Dayton hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dayton
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 46% to 69% on their since-2016 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
Mark Hockensmith has an approval rate of 48% across 2,010 decisions on record since January 2016. This sits within the range of 46% to 69% for the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Mark Hockensmith has evolved since 2016. While the rate was 39% in 2016, it has trended upward in recent years, reaching 100% in the limited decisions recorded in 2025 and 2026. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you present your limitations. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge's historical patterns.
