Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 52% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a long-term view, while latest-period figures offer a snapshot of recent activity. These metrics are evaluated against the 28% to 72% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North.
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 Walls'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 Kelly Walls has fluctuated since 2016, including a 52% approval rate in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure is 8 percentage points lower than the Phoenix North office average of 60% for the same period. These variations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walls'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 Phoenix North hearing office
Kelly Walls's most recent office on record is the Phoenix North hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Arizona. With 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 60%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 72% on their records since 2016.
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
Kelly Walls has an approval rate of 52% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 28% to 72% seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Kelly Walls has fluctuated annually since 2016, ranging from a high of 61% to a low of 43% in 2022. The most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 52%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your ability to perform daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to build the strongest possible case.
