Approval rates
The approval rate for Suzanne Krolikowski is based on 256 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically ruled compared to the 43% to 79% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. These statistics are derived from historical SSA data to provide transparency for your hearing preparation.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Krolikowski. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Krolikowski'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 data for Suzanne Krolikowski covers 256 decisions on record between January 2016 and September 2017. The approval rate was 44% in 2016 and 22% in 2017. Because case assignment is random, this historical trend is one of many factors that may influence the context of your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Krolikowski'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 San Rafael hearing office
Suzanne Krolikowski's most recent SSA record (September 2017) is at the San Rafael hearing office in California. The bench at this office includes 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 43% to 79%. While these rates vary across the bench, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent.
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
Suzanne Krolikowski has a 43% approval rate on 256 decisions on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 43% to 79% range seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Suzanne Krolikowski was 44% in 2016 and 22% in 2017. This reflects a trend over the recorded window of January 2016 to September 2017. An attorney can help you prepare your case accordingly.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random and impartial. Your focus should be on building a strong case with your attorney regardless of the judge assigned.
The 43% approval rate for Suzanne Krolikowski 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 favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
