Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 46% approval rate for Virginia Kuhn reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 33% to 68% range seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kuhn. 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 Kuhn'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 Virginia Kuhn has shown variation across 1,918 decisions on record since 2016. After maintaining a relatively steady approval pattern for several years, the data shows a decline in the final years of the record. This shift reflects the specific evidence presented in those later hearings rather than a change in policy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kuhn'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 Minneapolis hearing office
Virginia Kuhn's most recent office on record is the Minneapolis hearing office, which serves you if you are in the surrounding area. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis office, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 68% on their records since 2016. Seven of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file.
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
Virginia Kuhn has an approval rate of 46% on her record since 2016. This sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Virginia Kuhn has fluctuated. While the rate was relatively steady between 2016 and 2020, the data shows a decline in the final years of the record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your inability to work. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific standards required for approval.
