Approval rates
Monica LaPolt maintains a 62% approval rate on the 3,916 decisions recorded since 2016, which sits within the 43% to 75% range of the Indianapolis bench. In the most recent reporting period, you would find the judge approved 70% of cases, compared to the office-wide rate of 64%. These figures reflect past performance rather than a trend for your upcoming 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 LaPolt'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 Monica LaPolt has varied since 2016. After an initial period of higher approval, the record shows a decline followed by a recent recovery. The latest period, with a 70% approval rate, reflects a trend above the long-term average. Each hearing remains unique regardless of these historical shifts.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaPolt'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 Indianapolis hearing office
Monica LaPolt's most recent office on record is the Indianapolis hearing office, which serves you if you are in the surrounding area. This office maintains a bench of 20 judges and reported an office-wide approval rate of 64% in the latest period. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Indianapolis office, 11 of whom decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 43% to 75% on their records since 2016.
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
Monica LaPolt's 70% approval rate in the latest period is 6 points higher than the Indianapolis office average of 64%. While this provides context, your case outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 3,916 decisions on record since 2016. The judge's rate has seen both highs and lows, with a recent trend toward higher approval in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be fully prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
The 62% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your result. Every case is decided on its own merits and the evidence you present. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
