Approval rates
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, John Martin's 63% approval rate is measured against the office, state, and national averages of 54%, 54%, and 58% respectively. His record since 2016 includes 3,717 decisions with an overall approval rate of 63%. These figures reflect past activity rather than the outcome of your specific case.
SSA publishes no office- or national-level breakdown of fully favorable and denial rates. The 12 months are SSA's figures for this fiscal year to date plus the rest of the previous fiscal year; how we calculate them.
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, John Martin has issued 3,717 decisions. His annual approval rates have varied, ranging from a high of 79% in 2016 to a low of 55% in 2018. In the most recent 12-month window, his approval rate of 63% remains consistent with his long-term average.
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 is the most recent office on record for John Martin, with decisions logged there through July 2026. The 9 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file had an office-wide approval rate of 54% over the 12-month window.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Among the 9 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file, approval rates range from 17% to 88% over the 12-month window. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago, though only 9 of them decided cases in the latest file.
Judges with similar approval rates
These active judges' approval rates over the same 12 months (July 26, 2025 – July 31, 2026) are closest to Judge Martin's 63%. All five last decided cases in Illinois.
- 62% Approval rate, last 12 months Stephen Pope
- 65% Approval rate, last 12 months Carla Suffi
- 61% Approval rate, last 12 months Roxanne Fuller
- 60% Approval rate, last 12 months Lovert F. Bassett
- 60% Approval rate, last 12 months Helen Valkavich
Rates within 5 points of each other are hard to tell apart at a typical caseload, so treat these as judges with comparable records, not a ranking. See Judge Martin and the three closest side by side →
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
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, John Martin's 63% approval rate is above the 54% average for the 9 judges who decided cases at NHC Chicago in that window. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of the judge assigned to your case.
John Martin has a 63% approval rate on record since 2016 across 3,717 decisions. While his yearly rates have shifted, his performance over the most recent 12 months matches his long-term average. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a 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. Having an attorney present can help ensure your testimony clearly addresses the requirements of your disabling condition.
