Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 57% approval rate for Patricia Kendall is based on 1,206 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 45% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. These 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 Kendall. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kendall'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 Patricia Kendall has fluctuated across the data window starting in 2016. After an initial period of stability, the annual approval rate was 61% in 2016, 63% in 2017, 52% in 2018, 57% in 2019, and 48% in 2020. With 1,206 total decisions on record, the data provides a view of these trends over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kendall'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 Evanston hearing office
Patricia Kendall's most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office, where she recorded decisions through September 2020. This office serves the Illinois region and is part of a larger network of hearing offices managed by the Social Security Administration. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
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 Evanston, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Patricia Kendall has an approval rate of 57% on her 1,206 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 45% to 79% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Patricia Kendall has varied over time, starting at 61% in 2016 and reaching 48% by 2020. These fluctuations are common in judicial records and can be influenced by changes in case evidence or legal standards. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by reviewing the specific evidence required for your claim.
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 all hearing offices. Because assignment is random, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, work background, and daily limitations. Having an attorney by your side can help ensure your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Patricia Kendall has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual result depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
