Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 61% approval rate for Kendra S. Kleber reflects her entire record since 2016, which we measure against the 21% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kleber. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kleber'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, Kendra S. Kleber has maintained a consistent pattern of approvals. After an initial period of lower rates in 2016 and 2017, her approval frequency trended upward, reaching 70% in 2020 before stabilizing in the high 60s through 2025. With 2,778 total decisions on record, this trend indicates a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kleber'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 Lexington hearing office
The Lexington hearing office serves claimants across KY, acting as a central hub for regional disability hearings. This office features a bench of 18 judges, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 50%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Lexington hearing office, there are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 79%. Because this variation exists across the bench, your preparation should focus on the specific evidence in your claim.
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
Kendra S. Kleber's 61% approval rate sits within the broader range of 21% to 79% observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington. While her rate is a useful data point, your outcome depends primarily on your specific medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare a case file that addresses the specific standards used in this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in her approval patterns. After starting with a 55% approval rate in 2016, her decisions trended upward, peaking at 70% in 2020 and remaining steady at 69% through 2025. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure fairness and efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building the strongest possible case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and the judge review the evidence of your disability. The judge may ask questions about your work history and medical limitations, and they may also hear from vocational or medical experts. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
