Approval rates
Judge Kliner maintains a lifetime approval rate of 61%, a figure derived from a substantial docket of 22,250 lifetime decisions over a decade of service. In the most recent reporting period, the judge recorded an approval rate of 78%, which stands 3 percentage points higher than both the state and national averages of 58%. These metrics provide a broad view of judicial history, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
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
Over 10 years on the bench, Judge Kliner has demonstrated a clear upward trend in approval rates. Starting at 52% in 2016, the rate has steadily climbed, reaching 78% in 2025. This consistent shift suggests an evolution in how cases are evaluated or a change in the complexity of the evidence presented. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern of increasing approvals, indicating that the judge's current approach is notably more favorable than in earlier years.
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.
Hearing with Judge Kliner? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Chattanooga hearing office
The Chattanooga Hearing Office serves a large population across Tennessee, managing a high volume of disability claims with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently maintains a latest-period approval rate of 70%, reflecting regional trends in disability adjudication. You can expect a formal process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can visit the Chattanooga Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Within the Chattanooga Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 75%. Because you cannot choose your judge, your focus should remain on building a robust medical record. The guidance for your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.