Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the data in context. Ralph F. Shilling has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 24% to 88% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO. In the most recent reporting period, his 61% approval rate compares to a 64% rate for the office, a 56% rate for the state, and a 58% rate nationally.
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 Shilling'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 approval rate for Ralph F. Shilling has shown variation across 3,937 decisions on record. Yearly approval rates have moved between 52% and 68% over the last decade. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 61% approval rate, which is a partial figure for the fiscal year. This recent performance follows the 52% observed in 2024.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shilling'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 Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO is the most recent office on record for Ralph F. Shilling as of July 2026. With 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an overall latest-period approval rate of 64%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas North OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 24% to 88% on their records since 2016.
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
Ralph F. Shilling has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, approval rates range from 24% to 88%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Ralph F. Shilling has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 52% in 2016, 2018, and 2024 to a high of 68% in 2022. His most recent 2026 approval rate is 61%. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Ralph F. Shilling has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the assigned judge.
