Approval rates
Comparing the record of Nicholas M. Ohanesian to the broader Grand Rapids bench provides context for your hearing. While the judge maintains a 60% lifetime approval rate, the office-wide lifetime range spans from 43% to 88%. In the most recent reporting period, Nicholas M. Ohanesian approved 67% of cases, which sits 7 points above the office average. These figures are based on 4,000 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Ohanesian'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 Nicholas M. Ohanesian has shown a notable shift over the last decade. After hovering in the low-to-mid 50% range between 2016 and 2019, the approval rate moved upward, reaching 71% in 2024 and 2025. This pattern suggests a recent period of higher allowance rates compared to the earlier years of the record. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, though each case remains unique based on the medical evidence you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ohanesian'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
The Grand Rapids hearing office serves you throughout Michigan, operating as a key hub for disability adjudications. The office bench consists of 10 judges on record, maintaining an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 60%. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Grand Rapids 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 the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 43% to 88%. 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
Nicholas M. Ohanesian holds a 60% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 43% to 88% range observed across the 10 judges on record at the Grand Rapids office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval pattern. After maintaining rates between 53% and 56% from 2016 to 2019, the rate increased to 71% in 2024 and 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current requirements for your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case for the hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and 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 it aligns with SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.