Approval rates
The approval rate for Michael A. Kilroy is based on 2,259 decisions rendered between January 2016 and September 2023. This figure is best understood when compared to the broader bench at the Billings office, where the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of approval outcomes from 32% to 70% over the same timeframe.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kilroy. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kilroy'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 trend for Michael A. Kilroy shows fluctuations between 2016 and 2023. After starting at 48% in 2016, the rate moved to 44% in 2017, 47% in 2018, 47% in 2019, 40% in 2020, 36% in 2021, 43% in 2022, and 46% in 2023. With 2,259 total decisions on record, these shifts highlight how approval patterns evolve.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kilroy'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 Billings hearing office
Michael A. Kilroy's most recent office on record is the Billings Hearing Office, with decisions there through September 2023. This office serves the state of Montana. The bench at this location consists of 13 judges who have handled a diverse range of cases since 2016.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Billings
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 the Billings Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 70%. While these peers operate within the same office, their individual decision patterns vary.
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
Michael A. Kilroy has an approval rate of 44% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 32% to 70% established by the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 2,259 decisions on record. It moved from 48% in 2016 to a low of 36% in 2021, before rising to 46% in 2023. 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 uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely testify about your symptoms and work limitations, and the judge may call in medical or vocational experts. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 44% approval rate for Michael A. Kilroy reflects past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
