Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 54% approval rate for David Kurtz represents his entire record since 2016, which we evaluate against the 42% to 81% range observed among the nine judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office. Because these figures are based on thousands of decisions, they provide a reliable view of historical patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kurtz. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kurtz'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 David Kurtz has shown fluctuation across his 2,541 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2017 and 2020, the data shows an uptick in 2021 and 2022 before returning to 55% in 2023. This variance is common in SSDI dockets and often reflects shifts in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kurtz'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 Flint hearing office
David Kurtz's most recent office on record is the Flint office, which serves claimants across Michigan. This office maintains a bench of nine judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are nine judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office, and their approval rates vary from 42% to 81%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
David Kurtz has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 81% range of the nine judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for David Kurtz has fluctuated, starting at 56% in 2016 and reaching 61% in 2022 before settling at 55% in 2023. These shifts are common and do not necessarily indicate a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence fits into these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 54% approval rate for David Kurtz is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
