Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 64% approval rate for Sherianne Laba reflects her entire record since 2016, which we measure against the 33% to 77% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City. Because these figures are based on 114 decisions, they provide a look at past trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Laba. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Laba'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 trend for Sherianne Laba shows a shift over the period of January 2016 through September 2020. After high approval rates in 2016 and 2017, the rate adjusted to 70% in 2018 and settled to 53% by 2020. This pattern across 114 decisions on record suggests a transition in the volume of allowances granted as the data window progressed.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Laba'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 Kansas City hearing office
The Kansas City hearing office serves you and other claimants in the region. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 77% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Sherianne Laba has a 64% approval rate on her record since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 77% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift from 100% approval in 2016 to 53% in 2020. This trend is based on 114 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these past 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. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your case outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present to the judge.
