Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 75% approval rate for David L. Welch reflects his total record since 2016, which we measure against the 43% to 75% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches approach disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Welch. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Welch'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 David L. Welch has remained consistent across the data window starting in 2016. With 752 decisions on record, the judge maintained a 76% approval rate in 2016 and a 74% rate in 2017. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence and medical documentation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Welch'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 Indianapolis hearing office
The Indianapolis hearing office serves you if you are in Indiana. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting a diverse bench with varying historical approval rates. You can expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 75% on their since-2016 records. This variance highlights why understanding the specific bench at your hearing office is useful.
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
David L. Welch has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016. This is at the top of the 43% to 75% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy tailored to these local trends.
The approval rate for David L. Welch has remained steady, moving from 76% in 2016 to 74% in 2017. This consistency across 752 decisions indicates a stable approach to case evaluation. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence fits into this pattern.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ by having a strong, evidence-based claim. An attorney can help you build that case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the specific questions you might face.
A judge's historical approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While David L. Welch has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
