Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While JoErin O'Leary has a 63% approval rate since 2016, recent performance shows a 67% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 2 points above the office average of 65%, 7 points above the state average of 60%, and 9 points above the national average of 58%. 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 O'Leary'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 trend for JoErin O'Leary has shown movement since 2016. After a period of relative stability, the data indicates an upward shift in approval frequency, peaking in 2024 before moderating in the most recent fiscal year-to-date figures. With 4,020 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. The latest period suggests a continuation of this trend, which may be influenced by changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge O'Leary'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 Mt Pleasant MI hearing office
The most recent office on record for JoErin O'Leary is the MT Pleasant MI hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 8 judges. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period was 65%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mt Pleasant MI
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates among this bench range from 30% to 63% on their since-2016 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
JoErin O'Leary maintains a 63% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 30% to 63% observed across the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for JoErin O'Leary has shifted over the years. Starting at 60% in 2016, the rate saw an uptick in recent years, reaching 74% in 2024 before settling at 67% in the latest period. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your own medical evidence.
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 strength of your medical documentation with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney present can help ensure your testimony clearly addresses the criteria the judge uses to make a decision.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. While JoErin O'Leary has a 63% approval rate since 2016, every case is decided on its own unique medical and vocational merits. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to meet the burden of proof for your claim.
