Approval rates
To understand how Luke Liter compares to the broader bench, you can look at approval rates across the same reporting periods. While the judge maintains a 61% approval rate on record since 2016, the bench at the Tulsa OHO shows a wide range of outcomes, from 37% to 81%. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 58% approval rate sits 5 points below the office average of 63%. These figures provide context for your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than individual outcomes.
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 Liter'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, Luke Liter has issued 4,487 decisions. The yearly trend shows variance, with approval rates at 65% in 2016, 67% in 2017, 66% in 2018, 70% in 2019, 45% in 2020, 52% in 2021, 51% in 2022, 68% in 2023, 61% in 2024, 63% in 2025, and 58% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This latest figure reflects the judge's recent activity within the Tulsa OHO.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Liter'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 Tulsa OHO hearing office
The Tulsa OHO is the most recent office on record for Luke Liter, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across Oklahoma and is staffed by a bench of 15 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 63%. You can view the Tulsa OHO Hearing Office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tulsa OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tulsa OHO. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 81% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Luke Liter's 61% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the range of 37% to 81% seen among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tulsa OHO. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Luke Liter has fluctuated over time, moving from 65% in 2016 to a 58% rate in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Because these trends can shift, having a qualified attorney review your evidence is a critical step in your preparation. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare for any hearing scenario is recommended. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. Having an attorney by your side can help you organize your records and prepare for the specific questions a judge like Luke Liter may ask. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 61% approval rate for Luke Liter represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence, which an attorney can help you strengthen before your date in court. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
