Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Shirley A. Marzan maintains a 61% approval rate across her record since 2016, her latest-period approval rate of 60% compares to the Tampa OHO latest-period average of 59%. With 3,134 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of historical trends. 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 Marzan'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, Shirley A. Marzan has issued 3,134 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates reaching 72% in 2022. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date approval rate of 60% remains consistent with the broader historical average. This latest period reflects a continuation of a steady pattern in case outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Marzan'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
Shirley A. Marzan's most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO, which serves you in Florida. This office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 59%, reflecting the broader environment for disability claims in the region. You can expect a review of your medical evidence regardless of the specific judge assigned to your hearing.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO, and 11 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 31% to 90% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains the same 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
Shirley A. Marzan's latest-period approval rate of 60% is slightly higher than the Tampa OHO latest-period average of 59%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time, ranging from 45% in 2017 to 72% in 2022. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 60% approval rate, which is consistent with the long-term average of 61%. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, and the process is designed to be random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your limitations are clearly documented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Shirley A. Marzan has a 61% approval rate since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
