Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance to broader benchmarks provides context for the hearing environment. Judge Kayser's lifetime approval rate of 20% is measured against the latest office average of 52% and the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from a significant docket of 2,171 lifetime decisions, offering a stable view of historical trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Kayser'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
Over a two-year tenure, your judge's decision pattern has shown a shift in approval frequency. While the lifetime rate stands at 20%, the most recent reporting period indicates a variation from this average. This trend reflects the judge's approach to evaluating complex disability claims and the specific evidence presented in those cases. The latest period suggests a continuation of this pattern, which may be influenced by changes in case mix or the quality of medical documentation provided.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kayser'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.
Hearing with Judge Kayser? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Check My BenefitsAbout the Lexington hearing office
The Lexington (Kentucky) hearing office serves a wide region, managing a high volume of SSDI claims through its team of 6 administrative law judges. The office maintains a latest approval rate of 52%, reflecting the local standards for disability adjudication. You can expect a formal process focused on medical and vocational evidence. Visit the Lexington (Kentucky) Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your specific judge is typically selected at random. At the Lexington hearing office, the bench of 6 judges features lifetime approval rates ranging from 20% to 54%. Because assignment is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. You can find more information on the Lexington (Kentucky) Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.