Approval rates
Comparing Mark Kim's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While his lifetime approval rate stands at 51% across 3,945 decisions, his latest-period approval rate is 53%. This latest figure sits 11 points below the Dallas North OHO office-wide latest-period average of 64%. These metrics provide a window into past decision-making patterns, though 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 Kim'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 approval rate for Mark Kim has fluctuated. After reaching a peak of 64% in 2017, the rate trended downward to a low of 40% in 2024 before rising to 53% in the most recent reporting period. This latest period reflects a departure from the multi-year downward trend, suggesting a shift in the nature of cases or evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kim'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 Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO serves you across the Texas region. With a bench of 20 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 64%. You should expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Dallas North OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates among these peers vary significantly, with a lifetime range spanning from 24% to 88%. You can find more information on the Dallas North OHO hearing office page.
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 Kim's latest-period approval rate of 53% is 11 points lower than the Dallas North OHO office-wide latest-period average of 64%. Because approval rates across the office bench range from 24% to 88%, having an attorney who understands the local hearing environment can be a significant advantage. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a variable trend. After an approval rate of 58% in 2016 and a peak of 64% in 2017, the rate declined to 40% by 2024. The most recent data from 2026 shows an increase to 53%, indicating a shift in the judge's recent decision pattern. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you organize this evidence to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.