Approval rates
The approval rate for Kathleen H. Eiler is calculated based on 1,551 decisions on record since 2016. This figure is best understood when compared to the broader bench at the Orlando hearing office, where judges range from 34% to 89% in their own since-2016 records. These statistics provide a probability cloud based on historical data rather than a specific prediction for your upcoming hearing. 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 Eiler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Eiler'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 Kathleen H. Eiler has fluctuated across the 1,551 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability, the data shows a varied trend with annual approval rates shifting between 36% and 48% during the primary years of the record. The most recent data from 2023 represents a limited number of decisions, which can cause significant variance compared to the long-term average. This pattern suggests that your case outcome remains sensitive to the specific evidence presented in your file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eiler'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 you and other claimants across central Florida and is part of a region with a high volume of disability claims. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting a diverse bench with varying historical approval patterns. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical records and vocational history. You can see the Orlando Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration utilizes 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, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence and documentation. 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
Kathleen H. Eiler has an approval rate of 42% across 1,551 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 34% to 89% observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Kathleen H. Eiler has shown variance since 2016, moving between 36% and 48% during most years on record. While these fluctuations occur, they reflect the specific case mix and evidence presented during those periods. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your own case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
The 42% approval rate for Kathleen H. Eiler is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. 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 evidence and prepare for your hearing.
