Approval rates
The judge's 70% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 43% to 75% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis. This comparison provides context for how the judge's historical decisions align with the broader bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Metz. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Metz'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 671 decisions on record for John H. Metz since 2016 show a steady pattern of approval. In 2016, the approval rate was 68% over 482 decisions, followed by 72% over 352 decisions in 2017. This trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Metz'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 Indianapolis hearing office
The Indianapolis hearing office serves you throughout the region. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 75% on their since-2016 records.
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 Metz has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 43% to 75% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The judge's approval rate was 68% in 2016 and 72% in 2017. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making across the 671 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain your limitations and how they prevent you from working. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are based on past decisions and are not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
