Approval rates
The approval rates for Charles Walters reflect a significant volume of cases heard at the Dallas North OHO. When comparing these figures to the office-wide lifetime range of 24% to 88%, the data provides a clear view of how this judge's decisions align with local trends. These statistics are based on 4,253 lifetime decisions, ensuring a robust sample size for analysis. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Walters'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 pattern for Charles Walters has shown a steady trajectory. While the rate experienced a period of adjustment between 2021 and 2022, recent data shows a return to higher approval levels, with an 85% rate in the most recent reporting period. This latest performance remains strong compared to the broader office, state, and national benchmarks. The recent trend reflects a continuation of this established pattern in case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walters'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Dallas North OHO hearing office
The Dallas North OHO serves claimants across Texas, operating as a critical hub for disability hearings in the region. The office maintains a diverse bench of 20 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 64%. You can expect a formal process focused on the evaluation of your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Dallas North OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 24% to 88% on a lifetime basis. You can find more information on the office's roster on the hearing office page.
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
Charles Walters maintains an 88% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the high end of the 24% to 88% range observed among the 20 judges on record at the Dallas North OHO. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific expectations of this judge's courtroom.
The approval rate for Charles Walters has remained generally high since 2016, though it saw a temporary shift in 2021 and 2022. Recent data indicates a return to an 85% approval rate in the latest period. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Dallas North OHO. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case to be ready for any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial 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 tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's historical approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.