Approval rates
The approval rate for Melvin B. Werner is based on 1,023 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. This figure sits within the broader range of 37% to 67% observed across the Wichita bench. By examining these historical outcomes, you can better understand the statistical landscape of your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Werner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Werner'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
Melvin B. Werner maintained a consistent record over the period from 2016 to 2018. The approval rate was 57% in 2016, 67% in 2017, and 59% in 2018. This trend demonstrates a steady approach to case evaluation throughout the available data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Werner'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 Wichita hearing office
The Wichita hearing office serves you and other claimants across Kansas. The office maintains a bench of 8 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can view the full ALJ roster on the Wichita hearing office page.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 67% on a lifetime basis. You can find more information on the Wichita hearing office page.
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
Melvin B. Werner has a lifetime approval rate of 61% based on 1,023 decisions. This places him within the Wichita office's lifetime range of 37% to 67%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this courtroom.
Melvin B. Werner's approval rate was 57% in 2016, 67% in 2017, and 59% in 2018. This indicates a consistent approach to the evidence presented in your case. If you are concerned about how your evidence aligns with these trends, an attorney can help you review your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might draw.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.