Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While MaryKay Rauenzahn maintains a 61% lifetime approval rate, her most recent reporting period shows a 44% approval rate, which sits 14 percentage points below the current Eugene office average of 58%. These figures are derived from a docket of 3,021 lifetime decisions, providing a stable basis for analysis. 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 Rauenzahn'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, MaryKay Rauenzahn has maintained a consistent record, with yearly approval rates generally fluctuating between 53% and 67%. While the most recent data shows a temporary dip to 44%, her long-term history suggests a steady approach to case evaluation. This pattern indicates that the judge's decision-making is grounded in a substantial volume of cases, helping to smooth out year-to-year volatility. The recent shift may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality rather than a fundamental change in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rauenzahn'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 Eugene hearing office
The Eugene hearing office serves you throughout Oregon, operating as a key hub for the region's disability adjudication. The office maintains a diverse bench of 11 judges on record, with a latest-period approval rate of 58%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary driver of the outcome. See the Eugene Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Eugene hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 32% to 81%, the specific judge you draw can influence the context of your hearing. 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
MaryKay Rauenzahn's 61% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader Eugene office range of 32% to 81%. While she is one of 11 judges on record at this office, every case is unique, and an attorney can help you determine how your specific medical evidence aligns with her past decision patterns.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with annual figures typically landing between 53% and 67% across 3,021 total decisions. While the most recent period shows a 44% approval rate, this is a snapshot of a long-term career. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure impartiality. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented to the judge.