Approval rates
The approval rate for Kelly B. Lind is calculated based on 261 decisions on record since 2018. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at the Orange hearing office, where judges have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 19% to 68%. Statistical confidence in these patterns grows with the number of decisions, providing a clearer view of how a judge has historically handled cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lind. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lind'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 Kelly B. Lind has shown a steady trend across the 261 decisions on record since 2018. In 2018, the approval rate was 66% over 175 decisions, followed by 69% over 164 decisions in 2019. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating disability evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lind'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 Orange hearing office
Kelly B. Lind's most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office, where the last decision was logged in September 2019. This office serves claimants in California. With a bench of 12 judges, the office handles a variety of disability claims with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 59%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orange
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Orange hearing office, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 19% to 68% 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
Kelly B. Lind has an approval rate of 68% based on 261 decisions on record since 2018. This is at the high end of the 19% to 68% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Kelly B. Lind has remained steady, moving from 66% in 2018 to 69% in 2019. This consistency is based on a total of 261 decisions on record. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, and you cannot request a specific judge. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Kelly B. Lind has a 68% approval rate on record since 2018, the success of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
