Approval rates
The approval rates for Derek N. Phillips reflect a significant volume of cases. When compared to the broader bench at the Dallas North OHO, where lifetime approval rates range from 24% to 88%, his record sits within the established spectrum. Latest-period data shows he is currently trending 5 percentage points above the office average, 13 points above the state, and 11 points above the national average.
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 Phillips'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
Since 2016, the record for Derek N. Phillips shows a varied trend. After a period of higher approval rates in the early years, the data shows a shift toward lower rates around 2020 and 2021, followed by a more recent recovery. The latest period indicates a 69% approval rate, suggesting that his current approach has stabilized compared to the fluctuations seen in the middle of his record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Phillips'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO serves claimants across the Texas region. With 20 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest approval rate of 64%. You can see the Dallas North OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, from 24% to 88% over their respective lifetimes.
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
Derek N. Phillips has a lifetime approval rate of 71% across 4,381 decisions. This places him within the office-wide lifetime range of 24% to 88%. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence to the specific expectations of the Dallas North OHO.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his approval patterns since 2016. While his early record showed higher approval rates, the numbers adjusted in recent years before stabilizing at 69% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by reviewing the most current trends in his courtroom.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
The 71% lifetime approval rate for Derek N. Phillips is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your specific hearing.