Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at lifetime data to ensure a fair assessment. Kenneth E. Ball has a lifetime approval rate of 41% based on 955 total decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 19% to 68% observed among the 12 judges on record at this location since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ball. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ball'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 record for Kenneth E. Ball spans from 2016 to 2019, covering 955 total decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated over this period, showing a mix of annual percentages rather than a single linear trajectory. This variation is common in disability hearings where the complexity of medical evidence and case types can shift from year to year. The data reflects a career-long pattern of decision-making that provides a baseline for understanding his approach to disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ball'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 Orange hearing office
The Orange hearing office serves claimants throughout the California region. With 12 judges on record since 2016, the office manages a diverse caseload of disability applications. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Orange Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Kenneth E. Ball is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 19% to 68% over their respective lifetimes. 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
Kenneth E. Ball has a lifetime approval rate of 41% across 955 decisions. This places him within the office-wide lifetime range of 19% to 68% for the 12 judges on record at the Orange office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the standards at this office.
The approval rate for Kenneth E. Ball has varied across his record from 2016 to 2019. While his lifetime rate is 41%, his annual performance has moved between 35% and 50% during the years he has been on record. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly organized.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.