Approval rates
The 33% approval rate for Michael McKenna is based on 1,716 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 27% to 74% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hartford hearing office.
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
Michael McKenna's approval rate shifted between 2016 and 2022. After approving 53% of cases in 2016 and 54% in 2017, the rate moved to 31% in 2018, 22% in 2019, 25% in 2020, and 12% in 2021. These figures represent the 1,716 decisions on record 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
Michael McKenna's most recent office on record is the Hartford hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves claimants across Connecticut. You can view the Hartford hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hartford hearing office, and their approval rates range from 27% to 74%.
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
Michael McKenna has a 33% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 27% to 74% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hartford hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael McKenna has shifted over time, ranging from 53% in 2016 to 12% in 2021 across 1,716 decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. Because you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
The 33% approval rate for Michael McKenna is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
