Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at the since-2016 record to ensure you are measuring against the same timeframe. While the office bench shows a wide range of approval rates from 35% to 84%, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence you present. With 835 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Senander. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Senander'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 Robert M. Senander moved from 62% in 2016 to 58% in 2017. This data covers 835 total decisions on record starting in January 2016. Because the record window closed in September 2017, these figures represent a specific historical period. This pattern reflects the judge's consistent approach to evaluating disability claims during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Senander'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 Oak Brook hearing office
Robert M. Senander's most recent office on record is the Oak Brook hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves the Illinois region and maintains a bench of 10 judges. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation and work history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Brook
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 35% to 84%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the broader bench helps you prepare for your hearing.
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
Robert M. Senander has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 35% to 84% observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Brook. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Robert M. Senander was 62% in 2016 and 58% in 2017. These figures are based on 835 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your case, an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and 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 evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case meets the necessary criteria.
