Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Kevin R. Martin's 57% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 49% to 57% range of his peers at the Evansville hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, he approved 62% of cases, which is 7 percentage points higher than the office average of 55%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable view of past activity.
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 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, Kevin R. Martin has issued 4,188 decisions. His approval rate has shown a varied trend, dipping to 44% in 2020 before rising to a peak of 66% in 2023. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 62% approval rate, which remains elevated compared to 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 Evansville hearing office
Kevin R. Martin's most recent office on record is the Evansville hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%, you can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evansville
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Evansville hearing office, 6 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this group vary from 49% to 57% 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
Kevin R. Martin's 57% approval rate since 2016 is at the top end of the 49% to 57% range seen among his peers at the Evansville hearing office. In the latest reporting period, he approved 62% of cases, outperforming the office average of 55%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. After starting at 52% in 2016, his approval rate reached a low of 44% in 2020 before climbing to 66% in 2023. The most recent data shows a 62% approval rate, indicating a sustained trend of higher allowances compared to the period since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Kevin R. Martin's 57% rate since 2016 provides context, the success of your claim depends primarily on the quality of your medical documentation. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary criteria.
