Approval rates
Judge Kunz maintains an approval rate that currently tracks 11 percentage points below the Minneapolis Hearing Office average of 54%. When compared to the national average of 58%, her rate reflects a distinct approach to case evaluation. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,496 lifetime decisions, providing a reliable statistical sample. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kunz'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
Over her 2 years on the bench, Judge Kunz has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability adjudication. Her approval rate moved from 45% in 2016 to 40% in 2017, reflecting a steady pattern in how she evaluates evidence. This trend suggests a stable decision-making philosophy that remains focused on the medical documentation presented in your file. The latest period continues this established trajectory.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kunz'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.
Hearing with Judge Kunz? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Minneapolis hearing office
The Minneapolis Hearing Office serves a broad population across Minnesota, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an average approval rate of 54%. You should expect a rigorous review of your medical records and vocational history when appearing here. You can see the Minneapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the Minneapolis office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 43% to 67%. This variance highlights that the judge assigned to your case is a significant variable in the hearing process. You can view the full roster of judges on the Minneapolis Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.