Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure an accurate picture. The judge's 49% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 44% to 59% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Middlesboro. This comparison provides context for how individual decision patterns align with the broader bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Leiner. 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 Leiner'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 Jonathan H. Leiner has fluctuated over the years, starting at 46% in 2016 and peaking at 54% in 2018 before reaching 45% in 2020. With 1,557 total decisions on record since 2016, this pattern shows a period of increased approvals followed by a return toward the mid-range.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Leiner'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 Middlesboro hearing office
Jonathan H. Leiner's most recent office on record is the Middlesboro hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. The bench consists of 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Middlesboro
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 59% on their since-2016 records.
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
Jonathan H. Leiner has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 44% to 59% range observed among the 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the Middlesboro hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Jonathan H. Leiner has seen some variance, moving from 46% in 2016 to a high of 54% in 2018, before reaching 45% in 2020. These fluctuations are common in SSDI dockets and often reflect changes in the types of cases being heard. An attorney can help you prepare for your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you navigate these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Jonathan H. Leiner's 49% approval rate on record since 2016 is one piece of data, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
