Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. Alison Crisman has an approval rate of 50% across 1,284 decisions on record since 2023. When compared to the latest-period office approval rate of 56%, her latest-period rate is 11 percentage points lower. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases are processed at this office.
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 Crisman'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
Since 2023, Alison Crisman has maintained a consistent volume of decisions, with 1,284 total cases on record. Her yearly approval trend shows a shift, moving from 54% in 2023 to 45% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This pattern indicates a steady approach to case evaluation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Crisman'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 Valparaiso IN hearing office
The Valparaiso IN hearing office serves you and other claimants across Indiana and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%, providing context for the local hearing environment. You can see the Valparaiso IN Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 42% to 83% based on their records.
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
Alison Crisman has an approval rate of 50% on her record since 2023. This sits within the 42% to 83% range of approval rates for the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a trend in her approval rates over time. She recorded a 54% approval rate in 2023, which shifted to 45% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities and how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Alison Crisman has a 50% approval rate on record since 2023, your case's success depends on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.
