Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While Ruxana Meyer has a 61% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows a 74% approval rate, which is 6 points higher than the 68% office-wide latest-period average. These figures are derived from 3,006 lifetime decisions, providing a reliable statistical foundation. 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 Meyer'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
Ruxana Meyer's approval record has shown an upward trend since 2017, moving from 33% to 74% in the most recent reporting period. This shift reflects an evolution in how cases are evaluated over the 3,006 total decisions on record. While the latest period shows a higher approval frequency than the lifetime average, the overall pattern reflects a consistent trajectory.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Meyer'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 Honolulu hearing office
The Honolulu hearing office serves you throughout Hawaii and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 4 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence. See the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/honolulu-HI Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 4 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench range from 61% to 83% on a lifetime basis. 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
Ruxana Meyer's latest-period approval rate of 74% sits 6 points above the Honolulu office average of 68%. Because judges at this office have lifetime approval rates ranging from 61% to 83%, your specific assignment can influence the hearing environment. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of Ruxana Meyer's courtroom.
Yes, Ruxana Meyer's approval rate has trended upward significantly since 2017, when it stood at 33%. By 2026, the rate reached 74% over the latest reporting period. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for whoever is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.