Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods. The 70% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a long-term view of decision-making, which can be measured against the 21% to 92% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery. These figures are based on 2,258 decisions on record. Aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Klinger. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Klinger'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 rate for Frank M. Klinger has shown variation across the 2,258 decisions on record since 2016. After starting with a 67% approval rate in 2016, the figures fluctuated, reaching 73% in 2017, 72% in 2018, 63% in 2019, 73% in 2020, 74% in 2021, and 100% in 2022. These yearly shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned and the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Klinger'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 Montgomery hearing office
Frank M. Klinger's most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves claimants in Alabama. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench provides a wide range of experience. You can view the Montgomery hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 21% to 92%. Because this assignment process is automated, you cannot request a specific judge for your hearing.
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
Judge Klinger has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 92% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Frank M. Klinger has fluctuated over the years, moving from 67% in 2016 to 100% in 2022. These yearly trends are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring the process remains random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and past work experience. Working with an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 70% approval rate on record since 2016 for Frank M. Klinger is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
