Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 38% approval rate for Cam Oetter reflects all 2,719 decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 31% to 72% range seen among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Macon.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Oetter. The most recent period with decisions on record is February 23, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Oetter'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 Cam Oetter has fluctuated since 2016. With 2,719 total decisions on record, the data indicates that the approach has remained varied rather than following a single linear trend. While the 2017 peak of 46% stands out, more recent years have seen the rate settle closer to the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Oetter'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 Macon hearing office
The Macon hearing office is the most recent office on record for Cam Oetter as of February 2024. It is staffed by a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Macon
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Macon, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 72% on their since-2016 records.
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
Cam Oetter has an approval rate of 38% based on 2,719 decisions since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 72% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Macon. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 37% in 2016 and reaching 34% in 2024. These variations are common as case mixes and evidence quality shift over time. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
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, an attorney can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific requirements of the law.
