Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The data below contrasts the judge's since-2016 record against the range of other judges at the same office, while also providing a snapshot of the most recent reporting period. With 3,964 decisions on record, the data provides a view of historical trends. 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 Schmitz'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
Since December 2016, the approval rate for Michael F. Schmitz has fluctuated. While the rate reached 51% in 2024, the most recent fiscal year-to-date period shows a rate of 37%. This latest period reflects a divergence from the long-term average on record. The recent shift may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality presented at the hearing level.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schmitz'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 Akron OH hearing office
Michael F. Schmitz's most recent office on record is the Akron OH hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 13 judges who handle a volume of disability claims. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 53%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Akron OH hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Their approval rates since 2016 range from 43% to 80%. 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
Judge Schmitz has an approval rate of 45% across 3,964 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 43% to 80% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Michael F. Schmitz has varied year-to-year, ranging from a low of 37% in the partial 2026 fiscal year to a high of 51% in 2024. These fluctuations are common in SSDI hearings and often depend on the specific medical evidence provided in each case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily activities, work history, and the specific limitations caused by your impairments. An attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
The 45% approval rate for Michael F. Schmitz represents a historical pattern of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA requirements. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
