Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Kevin Vodak's 54% approval rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, while latest-period data allows for a current comparison against office, state, and national benchmarks. With 4,177 decisions on record, the data offers a stable look at past performance. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Vodak'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, Kevin Vodak has maintained a varied approval pattern across 4,177 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with rates moving from 47% in 2016 to 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance sits slightly above the long-term average. These patterns illustrate how cases have been approached over the last decade, though each hearing remains unique.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Vodak'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 Evanston hearing office
Kevin Vodak's most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide latest approval rate is 61%, providing context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file. Approval rates for this bench range from 45% to 79% on their since-2016 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
Kevin Vodak has an approval rate of 54% on record since 2016. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office, approval rates range from 45% to 79%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Kevin Vodak has fluctuated over time, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While these trends provide historical context, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. An attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate reflects their history of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Kevin Vodak has a 54% approval rate since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file.
