Approval rates
Comparing Kenneth Theurer's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While his lifetime approval rate stands at 44%, his latest-period approval rate is 48%. This latest figure sits 9 points below the Syracuse office average of 57%, 14 points below the state average, and 10 points below the national average. These metrics are based on 4,323 lifetime decisions.
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 Theurer'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
Kenneth Theurer's approval rate has shown moderate fluctuations since 2016. After an initial period of variance, the rate has remained relatively steady, with the most recent data showing a 49% approval rate in 2026. This latest period reflects a continuation of his established decision-making pattern over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Theurer'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Syracuse hearing office
The Syracuse hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 13 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 57%, reflecting the local administrative environment. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in the outcome. See the Syracuse hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Kenneth Theurer is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 86% on lifetime records.
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
Kenneth Theurer has a 44% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 40% to 86% range observed across the 13 judges on record at the Syracuse office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare your evidence to meet the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Kenneth Theurer's approval rate has remained steady over his 4,323 lifetime decisions. While yearly fluctuations occur, his recent performance is consistent with his long-term record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that stands up to scrutiny regardless of who is assigned.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. With a 44% lifetime approval rate, Kenneth Theurer evaluates cases based on the evidence provided. An attorney can help you ensure your medical records are complete and effectively presented for your hearing.