Approval rates
The approval rate for James Harty is based on 251 lifetime decisions. When compared to the broader bench at the Wichita hearing office, which sees lifetime approval rates ranging from 37% to 67%, his record sits at the lower end of that spectrum. This data is derived from official SSA records. 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 Harty. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harty'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 record for James Harty spans from 2016, covering 251 lifetime decisions. During this period, the approval rate was 37%. Because this data window captures the entirety of his available record, it provides a consistent baseline for understanding his approach to disability claims. This pattern reflects his established history of decision-making within the Wichita office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harty'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 throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With 8 judges on record, the office maintains a consistent process for evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony. For more information on the local bench, see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/wichita-KS Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 67% over their respective careers. 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
James Harty has a lifetime approval rate of 37%, which falls at the lower end of the 37% to 67% range seen among the 8 judges on record at the Wichita office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for James Harty was 37% throughout his recorded period of 2016. This consistency provides a stable baseline for understanding his historical decision-making patterns. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A 37% approval rate is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim.