Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Carl C. McGhee has a lifetime approval rate of 66%, his latest-period rate is 72%, which sits 13 percentage points above the Tampa OHO latest-period average of 59%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable look at his decision history. 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 McGhee'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, the approval trend for Carl C. McGhee has shown movement, including a recent period of higher approval rates compared to his earlier years on record. With 3,680 total decisions, the data reveals a judge who has navigated various shifts in case volume and outcomes. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, with the judge currently approving 72% of cases. This recent uptick may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McGhee'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO serves claimants across the region, functioning as a hub for disability hearings in Florida. With 16 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 59%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% over their respective lifetime 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
Carl C. McGhee's latest-period approval rate of 72% is 13 percentage points higher than the Tampa OHO average of 59%. Because judges at this office have lifetime approval rates ranging from 31% to 90%, having an attorney who understands these local variations can help you prepare your case effectively. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the data shows fluctuations in approval rates since 2016. While his lifetime approval rate is 66%, recent years have seen rates as high as 72% and 73%. An attorney can help you analyze how these trends might relate to the specific evidence in your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Carl C. McGhee often asks.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is strong enough to meet the necessary criteria.