Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 64% approval rate for Cheryl M. Rini reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the range of 17% to 70% observed across the bench of 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Rini. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rini'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 Cheryl M. Rini shows a shift across the 159 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 61% in 2016, which moved to 77% in 2017. This trend reflects the specific case mix and evidence presented during those periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rini'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 Cleveland hearing office
Cheryl M. Rini's most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, which serves you in Ohio. With 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you may encounter varying approaches to case evaluation.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 70% on their records since 2016. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the judge you draw matters.
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
Cheryl M. Rini has an approval rate of 64% based on 159 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 17% to 70% range seen among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Cheryl M. Rini was 61% in 2016 and 77% in 2017. These fluctuations are common and often relate to the specific types of cases and evidence presented during those years. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Cheryl M. Rini approved 64% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical documentation and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
