Approval rates
Tresie Kinnell maintains a 56% approval rate across 3,983 decisions on record since 2016. In the latest reporting period, the approval rate was 52%, which is 6 points below the office-wide latest-period average of 58%. These metrics provide a statistical baseline for understanding the judge's history.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kinnell'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Tresie Kinnell has fluctuated, reaching 61% in 2025 before moving to 52% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 3,983 total decisions on record, the judge's history demonstrates that outcomes shift based on the specific evidence and case mix presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kinnell'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 Dallas Downtown hearing office
Tresie Kinnell's most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Texas region and maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 58%. This office hosts 18 judges on record.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas Downtown
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, 7 of whom decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 21% to 76% based on records since 2016.
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
Tresie Kinnell's 56% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 21% to 76% range observed among the 18 judges at this office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 49% in 2023 to a high of 61% in 2025. These variations highlight why it is critical to have a well-documented case regardless of historical trends. An attorney can help you gather the necessary medical evidence to strengthen your claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the 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 tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear.
The 56% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your case will be decided based on the unique medical evidence and work history you present. An attorney can help you ensure your case is presented as effectively as possible.
