Approval rates
The 49% approval rate for Michael R. Dayton reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 37% to 67% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Wichita. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how your case may be evaluated, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dayton. 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 Dayton'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 approval rate for Michael R. Dayton showed variation across the 1,629 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 44% in 2016, 52% in 2017, 53% in 2018, and 48% in 2019. These fluctuations are common in administrative dockets and often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the medical evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dayton'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 Wichita hearing office
The Wichita hearing office serves you across Kansas and is part of a regional network of SSA offices. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita, which maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the documentation of your disability.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 67%. Because assignment is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Michael R. Dayton has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 67% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for Michael R. Dayton has fluctuated, starting at 44% in 2016, reaching 52% in 2017 and 53% in 2018, before recording 48% in 2019. These shifts are common and do not necessarily indicate a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Wichita office. Since you cannot pick your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you navigate the questioning and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 49% approval rate for Michael R. Dayton is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the primary factor in any decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
