Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the judge maintains a 62% approval rate across the entire record since 2017, recent data shows a 66% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 3 percentage points above the Tulsa OHO average of 63%. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide statistical context.
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 Martin'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 has shown fluctuations since 2017. After an initial 84% in 2017, the rate shifted through a period of lower approvals before trending to 66% in the latest period. With 3,473 decisions on record, these trends provide insight into how cases have been approached over the last nine years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martin'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
Cindy Martin's most recent office on record is the Tulsa OHO, which serves claimants across Oklahoma. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges who handle a diverse range of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 63%, providing a local benchmark for case outcomes.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tulsa OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 37% to 81% on their records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 Martin's 66% approval rate in the latest period is 3 percentage points higher than the Tulsa OHO average of 63%. Because case assignment is random, your outcome depends more on the specific evidence in your file than on the judge's general tendencies. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. It began at 84% in 2017, moved through a lower range between 2018 and 2021, and has seen a more recent stabilization around 66% in the latest period. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Tulsa OHO. Because you cannot influence this assignment, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you navigate this process.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will be present to discuss your ability to work. Having an attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your medical records are presented effectively.
The 62% approval rate on record since 2017 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how Judge Martin will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths against the judge's history.
