Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Paul Isherwood has a 29% approval rate on record since 2018, recent data shows a 19% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 45 percentage points below the Dallas North OHO average of 64%. These figures are derived from a docket of 3,097 decisions on record since 2018, providing a view of past patterns.
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 Isherwood'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 trend for Paul Isherwood has fluctuated over the 3,097 decisions on record since January 2018. After reaching 46% in 2019, the approval rate declined, reaching 13% in 2022 before showing variability in recent years. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 19%. This pattern reflects the outcomes of cases heard over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Isherwood'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 Dallas North OHO hearing office
Paul Isherwood's most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 20 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 64%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Dallas North OHO, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among these peers range from 24% to 88% 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
Paul Isherwood has an approval rate of 29% on record since 2018. This sits within the broader range of 24% to 88% seen among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. It reached 46% in 2019 before trending to 13% in 2022, with the latest period showing a 19% approval rate. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy in light of these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure you clearly communicate your limitations to the judge.
