Approval rates
Timothy Suing has a 64% approval rate across 2,097 decisions on record since December 2016. At the Houston West hearing office, the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show approval rates ranging from 8% to 73%. These figures reflect past performance and do not guarantee the outcome of your specific hearing.
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 Suing'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 December 2016, your approval rate has fluctuated, moving from 69% in 2017 to 57% in 2021 and 2022, before reaching 74% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. In the latest reporting period, the approval rate was 77%. These variations reflect the specific evidence and case mix presented during those periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Suing'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 Houston West hearing office
Timothy Suing's most recent office on record is the Houston West hearing office, where he has recorded decisions through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 53%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. At the Houston West hearing office, there are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges demonstrate a broad range of approval rates, spanning from 8% to 73% 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
Judge Suing has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 8% to 73% observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. After reaching a low of 57% in 2021 and 2022, the rate has trended upward to 74% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities, work history, and the limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Judge Suing has approved 64% of cases since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
