Approval rates
Comparing Christine A. Cooke's performance involves looking at both long-term records and recent trends. Her 53% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 33% to 77% range observed among the bench at the Kansas City hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Christine A. Cooke's 19% approval rate differs from the office-wide 56% rate. These figures are based on a docket of 3,136 decisions on record.
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 Cooke'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
Christine A. Cooke's approval rate has shown variance since 2016. While the rate remained between 47% and 60% for most of the period, the most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 19% approval rate over 21 decisions. This recent shift represents a departure from the historical average on record. Such fluctuations in the latest period may reflect changes in case mix or the specific evidence presented in those recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cooke'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 Kansas City hearing office
The Kansas City hearing office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a significant volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 56%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City hearing office, 12 of whom decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 33% to 77% since 2016.
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
Christine A. Cooke's 53% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 33% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City. While her long-term average is near the middle of this group, her latest-period rate of 19% is lower than the office-wide latest-period rate of 56%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows variation in Christine A. Cooke's approval rate over time. While she maintained an approval rate between 47% and 60% from 2016 through 2025, the most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 19% approval rate. This recent trend is a shift from your historical performance on record. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your condition.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends heavily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may be critical for your hearing.
