Approval rates
The approval rate for Kimberly Sorg-Graves is based on 443 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for comparison against the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Indianapolis Hearing Office, who collectively range from 43% to 75% in their since-2016 approval rates. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sorg-Graves. 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 Sorg-Graves'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 Kimberly Sorg-Graves on record since 2016 is 43% across 443 total decisions. The yearly trend shows 45% approval in 2016 and 20% in 2017. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sorg-Graves'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 Indianapolis hearing office
Kimberly Sorg-Graves's most recent office on record is the Indianapolis Hearing Office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves claimants across Indiana. With 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a distinct bench of adjudicators.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Indianapolis Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 75% on their since-2016 records. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for 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
Kimberly Sorg-Graves has a 43% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Indianapolis Hearing Office, approval rates range from 43% to 75%. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a change in approval rates from 45% in 2016 to 20% in 2017. Because approval rates can fluctuate, having a qualified representative is essential to ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your hearing strategy.
No, the Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to improve your chances of approval. An attorney can help you build a robust case regardless of your assigned judge.
The 43% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you organize your records to give your claim the best possible chance of success.
