Approval rates
The approval rate for Charles J. Thorbjornsen is based on 2,665 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2023. This figure provides a view of his decision-making history compared to the 42% to 83% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the same. These statistics offer a look at past decisions, not a prediction for any specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Thorbjornsen. 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 Thorbjornsen'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
Since 2016, your judge's approval rate has shown a varied trend. After an initial 58% approval rate in 2016, the annual figures fluctuated, reaching a low of 43% in 2021 before rising to 54% by 2023. These shifts across the 2,665 total decisions on record suggest that case outcomes can be sensitive to the specific evidence presented in a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thorbjornsen'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 Valparaiso IN hearing office
Charles J. Thorbjornsen's most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office, where his last recorded decision occurred in September 2023. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Valparaiso IN hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 83%. While these peers operate within the same office, their individual patterns vary.
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
Charles J. Thorbjornsen holds a 51% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 42% to 83% observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years. It began at 58% in 2016, saw a low of 43% in 2021, and most recently stood at 54% in 2023. These trends are based on 2,665 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to your current claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by having a qualified attorney review your evidence.
The 51% approval rate on record is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. It represents past decisions rather than a prediction for your hearing. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific evidence requirements for your disability claim.
