Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes ranging from 43% to 75%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge presides over your session.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David L. Welch | 75% | 752 | |
| 2 | Albert J. Velasquez | 72% | 4,147 | |
| 3 | John H. Metz | 70% | 671 | |
| 4 | Timothy Turner | 68% | 2,030 | |
| 5 | Daniel J. Mages | 68% | 4,621 | |
| 6 | Ronald T. Jordan | 66% | 1,816 | |
| 7 | Shelette Veal | 66% | 3,756 | |
| 8 | James R. Norris | 65% | 365 | |
| 9 | Jody H. Odell | 64% | 4,401 | |
| 10 | Monica LaPolt | 62% | 3,916 | |
| 11 | Blanca B. de la Torre | 60% | 1,126 | |
| 12 | Noell F. Allen | 60% | 2,601 | |
| 13 | Fredric Roberson | 57% | 3,907 | |
| 14 | T. Whitaker | 55% | 2,024 | |
| 15 | Belinda J. Brown | 52% | 2,057 | |
| 16 | Teresa A. Kroenecke | 49% | 3,769 | |
| 17 | Kevin Walker | 49% | 3,981 | |
| 18 | Gladys Whitfield | 48% | 3,667 | |
| 19 | Jeffrey S. Ciegel | 43% | 1,565 | |
| 20 | Kimberly Sorg-Graves | 43% | 443 |
How long you'll wait
At Indianapolis, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
With a 7-month wait, you have a limited window to ensure your medical records are complete. Start by gathering all updated treatment notes, medication lists with side effects, and a daily-activity log that clearly defines your physical or mental limitations. The Social Security Administration requires that you submit new evidence well before your hearing date, as last-minute additions are often restricted. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a Vocational Expert will typically testify about jobs that might fit your residual functional capacity. You and your attorney have the right to question this expert to clarify how your specific limitations prevent you from performing those roles. A final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
Hearings at this office come up faster than the national average, leaving less time to correct gaps in your medical record once your date is set. While the 64% approval rate is encouraging, the variation across the panel means your evidence must be airtight to avoid a denial. Preparing your case to anticipate the vocational expert's testimony is a critical step in your hearing strategy.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Indianapolis, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you ensure your file is ready for this timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific types of questions often asked by this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. However, if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, an attorney can help you file a formal objection.
While not required, having an attorney is highly recommended. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to be approved, as an attorney can ensure your medical evidence is properly organized and that you are prepared for the vocational expert's testimony.
