Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. Robert J. Kelly's 70% approval rate on record since 2016 can be viewed against the range of 37% to 75% seen among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. With 1,406 decisions on record, this data provides a stable look at past performance.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kelly. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kelly'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 Robert J. Kelly shows a fluctuating trend across the 1,406 decisions on record since 2016. After a 73% approval rate in 2016, the figures shifted to 67% in 2017 and 2018 before returning to 73% in 2019. This pattern suggests that the decision-making has remained within a consistent range over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kelly'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 Boston hearing office
Robert J. Kelly's most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. This office is home to a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Boston hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Boston
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Six of these judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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
Robert J. Kelly has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 75% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated between 67% and 73% across the 1,406 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 73% in 2016, 67% in 2017 and 2018, and 73% in 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert J. Kelly has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively.
