Approval rates
When evaluating a judge's record, it is helpful to compare their long-term performance against the broader bench. Judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 34% to 89% since 2016. In the most recent reporting period, Kevin J. Detherage approved 63% of cases, which sits 3 percentage points above the office average of 60%.
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 Detherage'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 January 2016, your judge's approval rate has moved through several phases. After a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2018, the data shows an upward trend in approvals peaking in 2020, followed by a decline through 2023. More recently, the data indicates a return to higher approval levels in 2024 and 2025. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern, suggesting that the judge's current decision-making may be distinct from the lower rates observed in the middle of the record window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Detherage'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 Orlando hearing office
The Orlando hearing office serves a large population in Florida and is part of a region that handles a high volume of disability claims. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a consistent flow of hearings. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, reflecting the diverse nature of disability claims.
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
Kevin J. Detherage has an approval rate of 54% since 2016, while the bench at the Orlando hearing office ranges from 34% to 89%. In the latest reporting period, he approved 63% of cases, which is 3 points higher than the office average of 60%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might influence your specific case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Kevin J. Detherage has fluctuated over the years. After a period of lower approval rates between 2021 and 2023, the data shows a notable increase in 2024 and 2025. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the current evidentiary standards of this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is consistent with your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
