Approval rates
The approval rates for Michael A. Lehr reflect a significant body of work, with 3,477 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing his performance to the broader bench at the Kansas City office, he sits within a range of 33% to 77% observed among his peers. In the most recent reporting period, his 76% approval rate stands 20 percentage points above the office average of 56%. These figures represent historical trends rather than a fixed outcome for your 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 Lehr'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, the approval rate for Michael A. Lehr has shown a dynamic trend. After experiencing a period of lower approval rates between 2020 and 2022, the data shows a consistent upward trajectory in recent years. The latest reporting period, with a 76% approval rate, reflects a continuation of this recent pattern of higher allowance rates compared to his long-term average. This shift highlights the importance of current medical evidence in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lehr'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 claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 56%, providing a baseline for the local administrative environment. You can see the Kansas City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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 specific judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City office, 12 of whom decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 77% on records since 2016. Your preparation remains the most critical factor in your hearing outcome.
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
Michael A. Lehr maintains a 65% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 33% to 77% range of his peers at the Kansas City office. In the latest reporting period, his 76% approval rate is 20 percentage points higher than the office average of 56%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might apply to your specific medical evidence.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael A. Lehr has fluctuated over time. While he saw a period of lower approval rates between 2020 and 2022, his decisions have trended upward since 2023, reaching 76% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards this judge has favored in recent years.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Kansas City office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who is prepared to present your case effectively regardless of who is assigned.
The 65% approval rate for Michael A. Lehr since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for the hearing.
