Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Westley maintains a 55% approval rate over his total record since 2016, recent performance shows a 55% rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 4 percentage points above the Cleveland office average of 51%. These statistics rely on a large volume of decisions, providing a stable view of past trends.
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 Westley'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, Westley has issued 3,982 decisions. The yearly trend shows a period of growth in approvals between 2016 and 2021, followed by a more moderate pace in recent years. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date data shows a 55% approval rate, which aligns closely with the long-term average. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Westley'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
The Cleveland hearing office serves claimants across Ohio. The office bench consists of 22 judges whose most recent record is at this location, and the office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 51%. You can see the Cleveland hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland office. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 70% 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
In the latest reporting period, Westley's 55% approval rate is 4 percentage points higher than the Cleveland office average of 51%. Because cases are assigned randomly, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Westley's approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 46% in 2016 and reaching a high of 62% in 2021 and 2022. The most recent data shows a 55% approval rate, indicating a return toward his long-term average. 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 uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Westley has approved 55% of cases on record since 2016, every case is decided based on its own unique medical and vocational evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
