Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, compare figures from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 42% approval rate for Jeanette Schrand reflects all decisions on record since 2017, which can be compared against the 42% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office. These figures are based on 1,290 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Schrand. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Schrand'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 Jeanette Schrand has fluctuated across the 1,290 decisions on record since 2017. Following an approval rate of 51% in 2018, the data shows 37% in 2019, 43% in 2020, 47% in 2021, and 28% in 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schrand'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 Valparaiso IN hearing office
Jeanette Schrand's most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves you in the Indiana region and is staffed by a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN
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 Valparaiso IN hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 83% 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
Jeanette Schrand has a 42% approval rate on record since 2017. This is within the 42% to 83% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to build a case that addresses the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeanette Schrand has varied over time. After starting at 51% in 2018, the rate shifted to 37% in 2019, 43% in 2020, 47% in 2021, and 28% in 2022. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case for any judge you are assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented clearly for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Jeanette Schrand has decided 1,290 cases on record since 2017, but your success depends primarily on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
