Approval rates
The approval rate for Jeanette Schrand is based on 1,290 lifetime decisions. When compared to the office-wide lifetime approval range of 42% to 83%, her record sits at the lower end of the local bench. These figures provide context for your hearing process but do not dictate the outcome of your specific claim.
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
Jeanette Schrand has presided over 1,290 decisions since her record began in 2017. Her yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, starting at 51% in 2018 before shifting in subsequent years. The data reflects a period of varied activity, with the most recent data points showing a lower approval frequency compared to her earlier years on the record. This pattern suggests that the strength and presentation of your medical evidence remain the most critical factors in your case.
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
The Valparaiso IN hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 11 judges on record. This office operates within the broader SSA framework to manage your disability appeal. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is paramount to a favorable decision. You can see the Valparaiso IN Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates among these peers vary significantly, with the office-wide lifetime range spanning from 42% to 83%.
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 lifetime approval rate of 42% across 1,290 decisions. This places her at the lower end of the office-wide lifetime approval range, which spans from 42% to 83%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeanette Schrand has fluctuated since 2017. While she began with a 51% approval rate in 2018, the data shows varying trends in subsequent years. An attorney can help you prepare your case to address the specific evidentiary standards this judge has applied over her career.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your claim.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if your condition meets the SSA definition of disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Jeanette Schrand's 42% rate is a matter of public record, your case's success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear in court.