Approval rates
The 24% approval rate for Michael D. Shilling reflects a docket of 2,242 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 24% to 60% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Shilling. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Shilling'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 Michael D. Shilling remained consistent throughout the period from January 2016 to September 2023. With 2,242 decisions on record, the data shows a stable approach to case evaluation. While yearly rates fluctuated, the overall trend provides a baseline for understanding how past cases were handled, though your hearing outcome depends on the specific evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shilling'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 Topeka KS hearing office
The Topeka KS hearing office serves claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. As of September 2023, this office has been the site of Michael D. Shilling's most recent recorded decisions. You can view the Topeka KS hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS, and their approval rates on record since 2016 vary, ranging from 24% to 60%. This variation highlights why thorough preparation is essential regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Michael D. Shilling has an approval rate of 24% across 2,242 decisions on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 24% to 60% range seen among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
The approval rate for Michael D. Shilling held steady across the record window of January 2016 to September 2023. While yearly percentages fluctuated, the overall pattern remains consistent. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge, including Michael D. Shilling.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your medical conditions and your ability to perform work-related tasks. Working with an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you may encounter.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Michael D. Shilling has decided 2,242 cases since 2016, and each one was based on its own unique medical and vocational evidence. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
