Approval rates
The approval rates for the Tampa OHO reflect a wide variance among the bench, with lifetime records ranging from 31% to 90%. Paul L. Johnston sits at the top of this range, providing a clear look at how his historical decision-making compares to the broader office environment. These figures are derived from 2,949 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Johnston. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
Since 2016, the record for Paul L. Johnston shows a consistent approval pattern. After an initial period, the rate stabilized and has maintained a high level of consistency through the most recent data window ending in 2022. This trend suggests a predictable approach to evaluating your evidence and medical documentation.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO serves claimants across Florida, operating as a critical hub for regional disability hearings. The office maintains a bench of 16 judges on record, reflecting a diverse range of decision-making patterns. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence presented in your file. For more information, see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 31% to 90%, the judge you are assigned can influence the flow of your hearing. Preparation remains essential regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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 has a lifetime approval rate of 90%, which is at the high end of the 31% to 90% range seen among the 16 judges on record at the Tampa OHO. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the standards at this office.
The approval rate for Paul L. Johnston has remained remarkably steady since 2016, consistently staying in the high range. This stability suggests a reliable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.