Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 46% approval rate for Kurt D. Schuman reflects all decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, note that the office bench ranges from 21% to 74% in approval rates over the same long-term window. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific 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 Schuman'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 trend for Kurt D. Schuman has fluctuated since January 2016. After a period of relative stability, the data shows a shift in recent years, with approval rates moving from 45% in 2022 to 60% in 2023, 54% in 2024, and 59% in 2025. The most recent reporting period shows an 83% approval rate, though this represents a partial fiscal year. This recent activity reflects the judge's current decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schuman'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
Kurt D. Schuman's most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, as of July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges. You can view the Colorado Springs hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 74% since 2016. Four of these judges decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026.
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 Schuman has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 74% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. While the rate was 45% in 2016, it reached 59% in 2025 and 83% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. A qualified attorney can help you determine if your case aligns with current evidentiary standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a robust case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence before the hearing date.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's definition of disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and identify potential gaps in your records.
