Approval rates
The approval rate for Michael Mannes is based on 3,849 decisions on record since 2017. When comparing his performance to the broader bench at the Tulsa OHO, the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 37% to 81%. In the most recent reporting period, Michael Mannes maintained a 62% approval rate, which is 1 percentage point below the office average of 63%.
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 Mannes'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 2017, the approval rate for Michael Mannes has fluctuated. After an initial 64% rate in 2017, the rate reached 29% in 2019 before trending upward to 62% in 2026. These shifts reflect the evolving nature of the cases assigned to his docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mannes'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 most recent office on record for Michael Mannes is the Tulsa OHO, which serves claimants across Oklahoma. The bench consists of 15 judges, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 63%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tulsa OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tulsa OHO. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, reflecting the different approaches taken by each judge.
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
Michael Mannes has an approval rate of 43% since 2017. This sits within the 37% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tulsa OHO. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael Mannes has fluctuated over time. While he started with a 64% rate in 2017, it reached a low of 29% in 2019 before trending upward to 62% in 2026. 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 assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
The approval rate for Michael Mannes is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you determine how to best present your case to this judge.
