Approval rates
Evaluating your judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 37% approval rate for Martin McClelland is based on 509 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 17% to 70% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. These aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McClelland. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McClelland'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 Martin McClelland has shown a gradual shift across the 509 decisions on record since 2016. Starting at 31% in 2016, the rate moved to 38% in 2017, 39% in 2018, and reached 44% by 2019. This trend indicates a steady increase in the percentage of cases resulting in an allowance over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McClelland'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 Cleveland hearing office
The Cleveland hearing office serves you and other claimants across Ohio and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, there are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in any decision. For more information, see the Cleveland hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Of these, 11 judges decided cases here in the latest SSA file. 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
Martin McClelland has an approval rate of 37% on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 70% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing in this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Martin McClelland has trended upward over the period of 2016 to 2019. The rate began at 31% in 2016 and rose to 44% by 2019 across 509 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a robust case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational expert or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney present can help you navigate the questioning and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
The 37% approval rate for Martin McClelland represents a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your success. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to build a strong case for this judge.
