Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While Wesley R. Kliner has a 62% approval rate on record since 2016, the bench at the Chattanooga hearing office shows a range of outcomes from 42% to 82% for judges with similar records. In the most recent reporting period, Wesley R. Kliner's 61% approval rate sits 7 points below the office-wide average of 68%.
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 Kliner'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 January 2016, the approval rate has shown a notable trajectory. After starting at 51% in 2016, the rate climbed to a peak of 78% in 2025 across 327 decisions. The most recent data from 2026 shows a rate of 61% over 53 decisions, which represents a partial fiscal year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kliner'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 Chattanooga hearing office
Wesley R. Kliner's most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. This office hosts a bench of 16 judges who manage disability claims. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 82% 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
Wesley R. Kliner's 62% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 42% to 82% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga. While this provides context, your specific case outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. The approval rate rose from 51% in 2016 to a high of 78% in 2025, before settling at 61% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Understanding these fluctuations is part of building a strong strategy for your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by having a well-documented case. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform past work or other jobs. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions Wesley R. Kliner or other judges typically ask.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While the 62% rate since 2016 provides a historical perspective, the most important factor is the evidence supporting your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your medical records are complete and effectively presented.
