Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 26% approval rate for Brian P. Kilbane reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be compared to the 20% to 82% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches operate. 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 Kilbane. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kilbane'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 Brian P. Kilbane was 28% in 2016, 25% in 2017, and 6% in 2018. With 655 total decisions on record since 2016, the data provides a view of how this judge has historically approached cases. This pattern highlights the importance of preparing a strong, evidence-based case regardless of the judge's historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kilbane'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 Charlottesville hearing office
The Charlottesville hearing office serves you in Virginia and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2018, this office maintained a bench of 13 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 20% to 82%. Four of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 P. Kilbane has an approval rate of 26% based on 655 decisions since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 20% to 82% seen among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Brian P. Kilbane was 28% in 2016, 25% in 2017, and 6% in 2018. These figures are based on 655 total decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely testify about your limitations, and a vocational expert may be present to discuss potential work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before the hearing.
