Approval rates
The 76% approval rate for E. M. Koldewey reflects all decisions on record since September 2016. This is compared against the 32% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office. This docket of 532 decisions provides a view of past activity, though aggregate rates do not predict outcomes for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Koldewey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Koldewey'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 E. M. Koldewey was 100% in 2016, 80% in 2017, and 71% in 2018. With 532 total decisions on record since September 2016, this pattern reflects a shift over the observed period. The data shows a decline in the approval rate as the record progressed toward the final entries in 2018.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Koldewey'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 Long Beach hearing office
The Long Beach hearing office is the most recent office on record for E. M. Koldewey as of September 2018. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can visit the Long Beach hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Beach
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 76% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
E. M. Koldewey has an approval rate of 76% on record since 2016. This sits at the top of the range for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office, where rates vary from 32% to 76%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for E. M. Koldewey was 100% in 2016, 80% in 2017, and 71% in 2018. This trend shows a decline over the 532 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 76% approval rate for E. M. Koldewey is a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you determine if your evidence is sufficient for your hearing.
