Approval rates
The approval rates for judges at the Hartford hearing office range from 27% to 74% over their lifetime records. This variation highlights why the specific judge assigned to your case matters. With 1,716 decisions on record, the data for McKenna provides a look at his historical decision-making patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McKenna. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McKenna'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 record for McKenna spans from 2016 to 2022, covering 1,716 total decisions. His yearly approval trend shows a decline from 53% in 2016 and 54% in 2017 to lower levels in subsequent years. This pattern reflects how his approach to evidence and case requirements evolved during this period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McKenna'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 Hartford hearing office
The Hartford hearing office serves you throughout Connecticut and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 9 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 59%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Hartford Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at the Hartford office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 27% to 74% on a lifetime basis.
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 McKenna has a lifetime approval rate of 33%, which sits within the 27% to 74% range observed among the 9 judges on record at the Hartford office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific judge.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his approval patterns. After approving 53% of cases in 2016, the rate moved to 31% in 2018 and continued to adjust in later years. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the hearing office. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the quality of your evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter.