Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's approval rate requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. While Jack D. McCarthy has an approval rate of 59% since 2016, the bench at the Kansas City hearing office shows a wide range of outcomes, with peer judges varying from 33% to 77% over the same period. These figures are based on 983 decisions on record, providing a look at past patterns.
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
The approval rate for Jack D. McCarthy has shown fluctuation since 2016. After a 59% approval rate in 2016, the figures moved to 57% in 2017 and rose to 61% in 2018, before settling at 54% in 2019. With 983 total decisions on record, these variations reflect how case mix and evidence quality influence outcomes year over year.
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 as a hub for disability hearings in Missouri. This office features a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City hearing office, and they show a broad spectrum of approval rates ranging from 33% to 77%. Because your specific judge is determined by this automated process, you cannot request a change.
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
Jack D. McCarthy has an approval rate of 59% based on 983 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 33% to 77% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
Yes, the approval rate for Jack D. McCarthy has varied over time, starting at 59% in 2016 and reaching 61% in 2018, before moving to 54% in 2019. These shifts are common and often depend on the specific types of cases heard each year. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on building a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Jack D. McCarthy's 59% rate since 2016 is one data point, but the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
