Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to peers requires looking at consistent data windows. The 20% approval rate for Mark A. O'Hara reflects every decision on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 20% to 82% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge O'Hara. 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 O'Hara'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 Mark A. O'Hara across 730 decisions on record since 2016 shows a fluctuating pattern. After an initial approval rate of 17% in 2016, the rate rose to 27% in 2017 before shifting to 23% in 2018 and 12% in 2019. These yearly variations highlight how case outcomes can shift over time. The data reflects the judge's recorded activity through September 2019.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge O'Hara'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 Charlottesville hearing office
Mark A. O'Hara's most recent office on record is the Charlottesville hearing office, where the last recorded decision occurred in September 2019. This office serves you in Virginia and is part of a broader regional network of hearing locations. With a diverse bench of 13 judges, the office maintains its own internal standards for evaluating disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, with approval rates ranging from 20% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because every judge brings a unique approach to the hearing room, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant variable.
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
Mark A. O'Hara has an approval rate of 20% across 730 decisions on record since 2016. This rate is within the 20% to 82% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the period from 2016 to 2019. It moved from 17% in 2016 to a high of 27% in 2017, followed by 23% in 2018 and 12% in 2019. Understanding these trends is part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears 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 and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for any specific hearing. While the 20% rate on record since 2016 provides context, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you present. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear before the judge.
