Approval rates
To understand how Melvin B. Werner compares to the broader bench, we look at the approval rates of all judges whose most recent office on record is the Wichita hearing office. These peers show a range of 37% to 67% in their approval rates since 2016. With 1,023 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity.
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
The approval rate for Melvin B. Werner has fluctuated across the 1,023 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows an approval rate of 57% in 2016, 67% in 2017, and 59% in 2018. These patterns reflect the specific mix of cases and evidence presented during those years.
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
Melvin B. Werner's most recent office on record is the Wichita hearing office. This office is home to 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wichita hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 67% 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
Melvin B. Werner has an approval rate of 61% since 2016. This sits within the range of 37% to 67% seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wichita hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Melvin B. Werner has shown variation, moving from 57% in 2016 to 67% in 2017 and 59% in 2018. These shifts are based on 1,023 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
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 your case regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your impairments prevent you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Melvin B. Werner has a 61% approval rate since 2016, your outcome depends on the unique evidence in your file. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
