Approval rates
The 50% approval rate for LaSandra Morrison reflects all decisions on record since 2017. You can compare this against the 24% to 60% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your case, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Morrison. 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 Morrison'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 LaSandra Morrison across 835 decisions on record since January 2017 shows a downward trend. The data indicates an approval rate of 63% in 2017, 52% in 2018, and 39% in 2019. This pattern reflects the judge's activity during the recorded period, which may be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morrison'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 Topeka KS hearing office
LaSandra Morrison's most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office, with activity recorded through September 2019. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 60% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent.
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
LaSandra Morrison has a 50% approval rate on record since 2017. This sits within the 24% to 60% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for LaSandra Morrison has shifted over time. It was 63% in 2017, 52% in 2018, and 39% in 2019 across 835 total decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for a hearing with any assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before your hearing date.
