Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers provides helpful context for your upcoming hearing. The approval rates on record since 2016 for the 14 judges associated with the Cincinnati office range from 31% to 77%. This variance highlights why preparing your evidence thoroughly is essential regardless of your assigned judge. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Thomas. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Thomas'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 data for Billy Thomas covers 282 decisions on record between January 2016 and September 2016. During this period, the approval rate was 57%. This stability suggests a consistent approach to case evaluation during that time, though your individual outcome always depends on the specific medical evidence and documentation you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thomas'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 Cincinnati hearing office
The Cincinnati hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. As of the most recent record in September 2016, this office has hosted 14 judges who have contributed to the local docket. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Cincinnati Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cincinnati
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cincinnati office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 77% on their records since 2016. 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
Billy Thomas has an approval rate of 57% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 31% to 77% seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Cincinnati. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The data for Billy Thomas covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the approval rate was 57%. Because the record is limited to this window, the rate remained steady. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these past patterns might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Billy Thomas approved 57% of cases on record since 2016, every case is unique. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and prepare for the hearing.
