Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Denise M. Martin based on her 2,792 decisions on record since 2016. By comparing this figure against the 26% to 63% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago, you can see how your case aligns with the broader bench. These statistics are derived from a large volume of cases to ensure statistical confidence.
Judge Martin is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Martin isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Martin'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, Denise M. Martin has maintained an approval rate of 53% across 2,792 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with rates peaking in 2018 before shifting through 2021. The most recent data from 2025 shows a 76% approval rate, though this is based on a smaller volume of 17 decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martin'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 NHC Chicago hearing office
NHC Chicago serves you across the Illinois region. This office has a bench of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical evidence and vocational factors of your specific claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago, approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 63% based 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
Denise M. Martin has an approval rate of 53% on record since 2016. This places her within the 26% to 63% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Denise M. Martin has fluctuated over the years, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching 76% in 2025, though the latter is based on a smaller sample of 17 decisions. Understanding these historical shifts is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities and how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to present the strongest case possible.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
