Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. While you see a 65% approval rate since 2017, her latest-period approval rate of 67% sits 9 percentage points below the Queens Hearing Office average of 76% for the same period. These figures are derived from a docket of 2,821 decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 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 approval trend for Sandra M. McKenna has fluctuated since 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2022, the rate increased in 2023 and 2024, reaching 77%. The most recent data from 2026 shows a rate of 67%, which remains consistent with her long-term average. This pattern suggests that outcomes are influenced by the specific evidence and case mix presented in each 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 Queens hearing office
The Queens Hearing Office serves claimants across New York. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 76%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Queens
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens Hearing Office, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 49% to 85% 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
Judge McKenna's latest-period approval rate of 67% is 9 percentage points lower than the 76% average for the Queens Hearing Office. Because cases are assigned randomly, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards expected at this office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated, moving from 73% in 2018 to a low of 54% in 2020, before rising to 77% in 2023 and 2024. The current rate of 67% in 2026 reflects a shift from those recent peaks. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your limitations.
The 65% approval rate on record since 2017 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee 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 evidence to see if it aligns with the standards Judge McKenna has applied in the past.
