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This page shows the disability approval rate of every Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ) at the Miami OHO hearing office, using official SSA data for fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026. Use it to understand what to expect if your disability hearing has been assigned to one of these judges.

Miami OHO hearing office at a glance

  • Office approval rate: 62.6% (higher than the national average of 57.6%)
  • Judges: 35 listed, 35 with decisions this period
  • Decisions issued: 2,579 (1,387 fully favorable, 228 partially favorable, 964 denials)
  • Total dispositions: 3,142 (including 563 dismissals)
  • SSA region: 04

The highest approval rate at this office belongs to Grant Dail (100.0%); the lowest belongs to Michael Finnie (0.0%).

Approval rate by judge

Sorted from highest to lowest approval rate. “Difference” compares the judge to the 57.6% national average. Rates for judges with fewer than 50 decisions are marked as a small sample and should be read with caution.

Judge Fully Favorable Partially Favorable Denials Decisions Approval Rate Difference Note
Grant Dail 3 0 0 3 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
Elizabeth DeGruy 1 0 0 1 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
Brian Jones 3 0 0 3 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
Stephanie M Jones 3 0 0 3 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
R. Dirk Selland 1 0 0 1 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
Trevor Skarda 4 0 0 4 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
John A Thawley 2 0 0 2 100.0% +42.4 pts Small sample
James Cole Cartledge 207 9 9 225 96.0% +38.4 pts
Carol J. Pennock 49 2 8 59 86.4% +28.8 pts
Christopher Messina 14 3 3 20 85.0% +27.4 pts Small sample
Scott Firestone 4 0 1 5 80.0% +22.4 pts Small sample
Sonya Grounds 4 0 1 5 80.0% +22.4 pts Small sample
Andrew Dixon III 3 3 2 8 75.0% +17.4 pts Small sample
Philip Healy 3 0 1 4 75.0% +17.4 pts Small sample
Norman Hemming 215 5 78 298 73.8% +16.2 pts
Vincent Hill 3 2 2 7 71.4% +13.8 pts Small sample
Rebecca Wolfe 198 52 108 358 69.8% +12.2 pts
Stacy Gray 2 0 1 3 66.7% +9.0 pts Small sample
Gonzalo Vallecillo 1 1 1 3 66.7% +9.0 pts Small sample
Angel X Viera-Vargas 2 0 1 3 66.7% +9.0 pts Small sample
Clara H Aranda 217 24 137 378 63.8% +6.1 pts
Ryan Alger 2 0 2 4 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Robert Droker 2 1 3 6 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Brandie Hall 3 0 3 6 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Walter Cary Herin 1 0 1 2 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Tracey B. Leibowitz 184 36 220 440 50.0% -7.6 pts
Jennifer Pustizzi 14 6 20 40 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Robert Rideout 1 0 1 2 50.0% -7.6 pts Small sample
Lornette Reynolds 119 58 182 359 49.3% -8.3 pts
Gracian A. Celaya 121 25 153 299 48.8% -8.8 pts
Stephen Pope 1 0 3 4 25.0% -32.6 pts Small sample
Robert B Bowling 0 1 5 6 16.7% -41.0 pts Small sample
Michael Finnie 0 0 6 6 0.0% -57.6 pts Small sample
Camille Monahan 0 0 6 6 0.0% -57.6 pts Small sample
Cynthia Weaver 0 0 6 6 0.0% -57.6 pts Small sample

How to read these numbers

Approval rate = (fully favorable + partially favorable decisions) ÷ total decisions. A fully favorable decision grants benefits from the date the claimant requested; a partially favorable decision grants benefits but with a later onset date or other limitation. Dismissals (for example, when a claimant withdraws or misses the hearing) are not decisions on the merits and are excluded from the rate.

A judge’s past approval rate is not a prediction for any individual case. Outcomes depend primarily on the medical evidence, the claimant’s work history, and how well the case is prepared and presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is the approval rate at the Miami OHO Social Security hearing office?

In fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026, administrative law judges at the Miami OHO hearing office approved 62.6% of the cases they decided (1,387 fully favorable and 228 partially favorable out of 2,579 decisions). The national average is 57.6%.

Which judge at the Miami OHO hearing office has the highest approval rate?

Grant Dail had the highest approval rate at 100.0% across 3 decisions.

How many judges work at the Miami OHO hearing office?

SSA lists 35 administrative law judges at the Miami OHO hearing office, 35 of whom issued decisions during the reporting period.

Where does this data come from?

All figures come from the Social Security Administration's public ALJ Disposition Data report, reporting period ending August 28, 2026. Approval rate is calculated as fully favorable plus partially favorable decisions divided by total decisions; dismissals are excluded.

Source: Social Security Administration, ALJ Disposition Data, reporting period ending August 28, 2026 (report generated 09/22/2026). SSA updates this dataset monthly. Last updated on this site: October 13, 2026.

  • Do You Have
    a Claim?

    Do not feel as though you have to go through this process on your own. Find out if you qualify to receive benefits now.

    About SSD Eligibility
  • Proud Advocates
    for the Disabled

    Your choice in advocacy could be instrumental to the success of your case. Don’t put your financial benefits at risk!

    How We Can Help You
  • No Fees
    Until We Win

    Our ultimate goal is to maximize your approval and minimize any complication. You pay no fees unless we win!

    Get Started Today

Social Security Disability
How Can We Help You?

  • Denied SSD Benefits
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  • SSD & SSI Myths

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