Approval rates
The approval rate for Larry Kennedy is calculated from 1,108 decisions on record between January 2016 and September 2019. This figure provides a baseline for understanding historical decision patterns compared to the 21% to 93% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle. Because case assignment is random, this data serves as a reference point rather than a guarantee of your outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kennedy. 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 Kennedy'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
Between 2016 and 2019, Larry Kennedy's approval rate showed variation across 1,108 decisions on record. The rate was 32% in 2016, 44% in 2017, 35% in 2018, and 34% in 2019. This pattern reflects the judge's historical approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded timeframe.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kennedy'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 Seattle hearing office
Larry Kennedy's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office hosts a bench of 22 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 93% on their since-2016 records. While these statistics highlight the diversity of the bench, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain constant.
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
Larry Kennedy has an approval rate of 36% based on 1,108 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle, approval rates range from 21% to 93%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Larry Kennedy was 32% in 2016, 44% in 2017, 35% in 2018, and 34% in 2019, based on 1,108 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any assigned judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 36% approval rate for Larry Kennedy represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
