Approval rates
The approval rate for Paul L. Johnston is based on 2,949 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2022. This figure is evaluated against the performance of the 11 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file, who range from 31% to 66% on their since-2016 records. The data provides a statistical overview of past outcomes rather than a forecast for your specific claim.
Judge Johnston is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Johnston isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Johnston'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
Paul L. Johnston's record spans from 2016 through 2022, covering 2,949 total decisions. The approval rate was 91% in 2016, 86% in 2017, 89% in 2018, 90% in 2019, 92% in 2020, 92% in 2021, and 92% in 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Johnston'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO is the most recent office on record for 16 judges, with 11 of them having decided cases in the most recent SSA file. You can find the full roster of judges on the Tampa OHO hearing office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa OHO
The 11 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 31% to 66% on their since-2016 records. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 11 of them deciding cases here in SSA's latest file.
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 L. Johnston's 90% approval rate on record since 2016 sits above the 31% to 66% range established by the 11 judges who decided cases at the Tampa OHO in the latest SSA file. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific case.
Paul L. Johnston's approval rate has remained steady, starting at 91% in 2016 and reaching 92% by 2022. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing no matter which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of their past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. The outcome of your hearing depends on the evidence you provide. An attorney can help you gather and present the evidence necessary to support your claim.
