Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance to broader benchmarks provides a clearer picture of the local hearing environment. Judge Johnson's 76% lifetime approval rate is evaluated against the Tucson Hearing Office latest rate of 71% and the national average of 58%. With a substantial docket of 21,410 lifetime decisions, the data offers a stable view of past judicial activity. 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 Johnson'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
Over a 10-year tenure, Judge Johnson has shown a consistent approach to disability claims. The yearly trend indicates a stable pattern of approvals, with recent data showing an upward trajectory compared to the 2022 rate of 71%. The latest period's 82% approval rate suggests a continuation of this trend, reflecting the judge's long-term commitment to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Johnson'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.
Hearing with Judge Johnson? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Tucson hearing office
The Tucson Hearing Office serves a broad population across Arizona, managing a high volume of disability claims. With 6 judges currently on the bench, the office maintains a latest approval rate of 71%, which remains above the state average of 61% and the national average of 58%. You can expect a professional environment focused on the rigorous evaluation of medical and vocational evidence. See the Tucson Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Tucson Hearing Office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is typically chosen at random. The bench at this office is diverse, with lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges ranging from 50% to 80%. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the courtroom, understanding the office-wide environment is helpful. You can find more information on the Tucson Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.