Approval rates
The following data compares the performance of Monica LaPolt against broader benchmarks. Her lifetime approval rate of 62% sits within the 43% to 75% range observed across the Indianapolis bench. In the most recent reporting period, her 70% approval rate compares to a 64% office-wide rate, a 60% state rate, and a 58% national rate. These figures provide context for your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual case.
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
Since 2016, Monica LaPolt has issued 3,916 decisions. Her approval rate has fluctuated over the years, showing a recent trend toward higher approval figures compared to the mid-record period. While the latest-period approval rate of 70% is higher than her lifetime average, it reflects the most recent data available. This pattern suggests that the judge's approach to evidence and testimony has evolved, and the latest period reflects a continuation of this recent shift.
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
The Indianapolis hearing office serves claimants across Indiana, managing a high volume of disability cases. With 20 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 64%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Indianapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 43% to 75% on lifetime records. 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
Monica LaPolt has a lifetime approval rate of 62%, which falls within the 43% to 75% range of all judges on record at the Indianapolis office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best align with the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a trend of variation over the 3,916 decisions on record since 2016. While her lifetime rate is 62%, her latest-period approval rate is 70%. An attorney can help you evaluate how these shifts might impact your specific case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases via a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Monica LaPolt's 62% lifetime rate provides context, your success depends on the specific medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence before your hearing.