Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the full scope of their decisions since 2016. With 3,209 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of how this judge has approached disability claims over time. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the 45% to 85% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Linehan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Linehan'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 rate for James Linehan has shown an upward trend since 2016. While the record saw approval rates near 50% in the first few years, the most recent data points from 2022 and 2023 indicate a shift toward higher allowance percentages. This pattern suggests that the judge's approach to evidence or case mix has evolved over the seven-year period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Linehan'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 Oklahoma City hearing office
James Linehan's most recent SSA record (September 2023) is at the Oklahoma City hearing office. This office serves you and other claimants across Oklahoma. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a review process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Oklahoma City hearing office, there are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges demonstrate a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 45% to 85%.
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
Judge Linehan has an approval rate of 55% on record since 2016. This sits within the 45% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. While the approval rate was 50% in 2016, it rose to 75% by 2023. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
The 55% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most critical factor. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
