Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 46% approval rate for Paul E. Yerian reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which you can measure against the 34% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how past cases have been decided.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Yerian. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Yerian'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 approval rate for Paul E. Yerian has fluctuated across his 1,051 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 48% in 2016, the rate saw a decline in 2017 before stabilizing near 50% in 2022 and 2023. A dip to 44% in 2024 was followed by an increase to 58% in 2025. These yearly shifts suggest that the decision pattern is sensitive to the specific evidence and case mix presented during different periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Yerian'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 Columbus hearing office
The Columbus hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Ohio and the surrounding region. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Claimants appearing at this office should be prepared for a thorough review of their medical documentation and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge maintains a unique approach to evaluating evidence, your preparation should focus on the specific requirements of your claim.
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
Paul E. Yerian has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 34% to 83% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Paul E. Yerian has shown variation over time, ranging from 41% in 2017 to 58% in 2025. These fluctuations are common in SSDI dockets and may reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your daily activities, pain levels, and work limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
The 46% approval rate for Paul E. Yerian is a historical average based on 1,051 decisions on record since 2016, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
