Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 64% approval rate for Evan Nordby reflects all decisions on record since October 2016, which can be measured against the 37% to 67% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita. This range provides a clearer picture of the local bench than comparing against national averages. 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 Nordby. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nordby'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 Evan Nordby showed variation across the data window starting in October 2016. With 146 total decisions on record, your annual approval rate moved from 72% in 2017 to 59% in 2018. This shift indicates a decline in the approval frequency over the observed period. Such patterns often reflect changes in the specific mix of cases or the quality of evidence presented, rather than a change in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nordby'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 Wichita hearing office
Evan Nordby's most recent office on record is the Wichita hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 37% to 67%. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes at your hearing office can help you prepare. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Evan Nordby has an approval rate of 64% based on 146 decisions on record since October 2016. This sits within the 37% to 67% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate, moving from 72% in 2017 to 59% in 2018. These figures are based on 146 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific 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 records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 64% approval rate for Evan Nordby is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your evidence before your hearing.
