Approval rates
The approval rates for Lyle Olson are calculated based on 1,758 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating these figures, it is helpful to compare them against the broader bench at the Fargo hearing office, where judges range from 46% to 72% in their approval rates over the same period. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how your case might be reviewed.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Olson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Olson'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 pattern for Lyle Olson shows variance across the 1,758 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of higher approval rates in 2016 and 2017, the trend saw a decline in 2018 and 2019 before a partial recovery in 2020. The most recent data from 2021 and 2022 indicates a downward shift in approvals. This pattern suggests that the approach to evidence and case requirements has evolved over the years on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Olson'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 Fargo hearing office
Lyle Olson's most recent office on record is the Fargo hearing office, which serves the North Dakota region. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Fargo hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fargo
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These peers show a wide range of approval rates from 46% to 72%.
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
Lyle Olson has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 46% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fargo. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Lyle Olson has fluctuated, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 58% in 2017, before trending downward in recent years. Understanding these shifts is part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of the judge assigned, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
The 49% approval rate on record for Lyle Olson is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
