Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the data in context. Brian Kane's 71% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 65% to 77% range observed among the bench at the Rochester hearing office. While latest-period data shows a 62% approval rate compared to the office's 68%, these figures represent a snapshot in time rather than a long-term trend.
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 Kane'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 2016, Brian Kane has issued 3,579 decisions. The approval trend remained relatively steady for several years, though the most recent data shows a decline from the historical average. This shift in the latest period may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. The pattern provides a view of how Brian Kane has approached cases over the last decade, though each hearing remains unique.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kane'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 Rochester hearing office
Brian Kane's most recent office on record is the Rochester hearing office, which serves claimants across the region. This office maintains a bench of 4 judges with varying approval patterns. You can expect a standard hearing process where your evidence quality is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Rochester
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 4 judges whose most recent office on record is the Rochester hearing office, with 2 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench range from 65% to 77% on their records since 2016.
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
Brian Kane's 71% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 65% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Rochester. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you understand how to present your specific medical evidence regardless of which judge is assigned.
Brian Kane's approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 75% in 2016 and reaching 62% in the most recent partial fiscal year. While these trends provide historical context, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific case. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the requirements for SSDI benefits regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented. An attorney can help you.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to perform substantial gainful activity. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths. An attorney can help you.
