Approval rates
The 29% approval rate for Timothy G. Stueve reflects his total activity since 2016, which we measure against the 24% to 60% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS. This comparison provides a view of how his historical decision-making aligns with the local bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Stueve. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Stueve'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 Timothy G. Stueve has shown variation across the 1,161 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 30% in 2016 and a peak of 36% in 2017, the annual figures trended to 26% in 2018, 27% in 2019, and 22% in 2020. This pattern indicates a shift in outcomes over the four-year window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stueve'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 you throughout the region. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision. You can see 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 uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 60%. Four of these judges decided cases here in SSA's 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
Timothy G. Stueve has a 29% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 60% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Timothy G. Stueve has fluctuated since 2016. It moved from 30% in 2016 to a high of 36% in 2017 before trending to 22% in 2020. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Timothy G. Stueve has a 29% approval rate on record since 2016, your case depends on your unique medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge's historical patterns.
