Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 44% approval rate for Mary M. Kunz reflects her decisions on record since 2016, which can be evaluated against the 33% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Minneapolis. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases, though they do not predict your specific outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kunz. 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 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
The approval rate for Mary M. Kunz across 527 decisions on record since 2016 shows a slight downward trend. In 2016, your approval rate was 46% over 471 decisions, followed by 40% over 207 decisions in 2017. This pattern highlights how your individual case evidence and legal arguments remain the primary drivers of your hearing outcome.
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.
About the Minneapolis hearing office
Mary M. Kunz's most recent office on record is the Minneapolis hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you across Minnesota and the surrounding region. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench represents a variety of decision patterns.
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 draw is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 68% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Mary M. Kunz has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
The approval rate for Mary M. Kunz was 46% in 2016 and 40% in 2017. These figures are based on 527 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter during your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
