Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers requires looking at consistent data sets. At the Kansas City hearing office, the bench shows a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 33% to 77%. By reviewing these figures, you can better understand the environment of your hearing. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McCarthy. 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 McCarthy'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
Judge McCarthy has maintained a consistent record since 2016. His yearly approval rates were 59% in 2016, 57% in 2017, 61% in 2018, and 54% in 2019. This trend indicates a steady approach to evaluating disability claims over his time on the bench. Because each case presents unique medical evidence and vocational factors, these yearly shifts often reflect changes in the specific mix of cases heard rather than a change in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McCarthy'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 Kansas City hearing office
The Kansas City hearing office serves the surrounding region of Missouri, managing a diverse caseload of disability claims. The office bench consists of 17 judges on record, reflecting the volume of hearings processed in this area. You can expect a formal environment where medical documentation and vocational testimony are prioritized. You can view the Kansas City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, 12 of whom reported in the latest period. With approval rates across the bench ranging from 33% to 77%, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant variable. You can prepare for your hearing with the same diligence regardless of which judge is assigned.
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
Judge McCarthy holds a 59% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the broader 33% to 77% range observed among the 17 judges on record at the Kansas City office. Because every judge has a different approach to evaluating evidence, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this office.
Judge McCarthy's approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout his recorded tenure, with yearly figures ranging between 54% and 61%. While these numbers provide a historical view, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among the judges at the Kansas City hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine how your impairments affect your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your hearing's outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case for your hearing.