Approval rates
The 49% approval rate for Karen B. Kostol reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 67% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown. This variation underscores the importance of focusing on the specific medical evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kostol. 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 Kostol'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 Karen B. Kostol has varied across 2,881 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching 56% in 2016 and 2017, the rate shifted to 44% in 2023 before moving to 52% in 2025. These fluctuations reflect the evolving nature of the cases presented to the judge over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kostol'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 Morgantown hearing office
Karen B. Kostol's most recent office on record is the Morgantown hearing office. This office serves as the base for 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can view the Morgantown hearing office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 21% to 67%. Regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing, your focus remains on building a strong evidentiary record.
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
Karen B. Kostol has an approval rate of 49% across 2,881 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 21% to 67% range of approval rates for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Morgantown. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. It was 56% in 2016, reached 44% in 2023, and was 52% in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment process. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for any judge.
The 49% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction for your hearing. Your outcome depends on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths regardless of the judge assigned.
