Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Thomas J. Wheeler has a 48% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 49%. This sits against an office-wide latest-period rate of 64%, a state rate of 56%, and a national rate of 58%. With 4,446 decisions on record, the data provides a stable look at past patterns. 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 Wheeler'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, Thomas J. Wheeler has maintained a consistent pattern of approvals. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with a peak of 55% in 2020 and a low of 44% in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 49% approval rate, which is largely in line with his long-term average. This steady pattern suggests that the judge's approach to evidence has remained relatively stable over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wheeler'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
Thomas J. Wheeler's most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, which serves you in the Texas region. This office hosts a bench of 20 judges, reflecting a diverse range of decision-making patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 64%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
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 your assignment to Thomas J. Wheeler is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas North OHO, 11 of whom decided cases in the latest file. These judges show an approval-rate range of 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. 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
Thomas J. Wheeler has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016. Other judges at the Dallas North OHO range from 24% to 88% on their since-2016 records. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
His approval rate has fluctuated between 44% and 55% over the years, with a 49% rate in the most recent period. This indicates a relatively steady approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. You should focus on preparing the strongest possible evidence for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily activities and work history. Having an attorney can help you navigate these questions and ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 48% approval rate on record for Thomas J. Wheeler reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths.
