Who decides cases at this office
The 15 ALJs at this office show a moderate spread in approval rates, with outcomes clustering around a 54% median. Because rates range from 37% to 68%, which judge you draw can influence the tone of your hearing. Since assignments are random, your best strategy is to build a case that is robust enough to meet the standards of any judge on the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William K. Mueller | 68% | 2,914 | |
| 2 | Mark B. Greenberg | 63% | 1,590 | |
| 3 | Peter J. Valentino | 62% | 1,044 | |
| 4 | Eric V. Benham | 62% | 2,530 | |
| 5 | Howard K. Treblin | 62% | 3,299 | |
| 6 | Michael B. Richardson | 58% | 3,409 | |
| 7 | Robert Iafe | 58% | 2,411 | |
| 8 | Jay E. Levine | 54% | 2,104 | |
| 9 | Keith Dietterle | 53% | 1,324 | |
| 10 | James S. Carletti | 53% | 354 | |
| 11 | Kevin W. Messer | 49% | 2,868 | |
| 12 | Donald P. Cole | 48% | 1,307 | |
| 13 | Robin L. Henrie | 46% | 705 | |
| 14 | Andrew Verne | 38% | 3,595 | |
| 15 | James Delphey | 37% | 2,299 |
How long you'll wait
At San Diego, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
Your hearing will likely last 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your file and hear testimony. Because this office has a moderate spread in judge approval rates, your preparation must be thorough enough to satisfy any member of the 15-judge panel. Bring an updated list of all medications and their side effects, as well as a log of your daily activities that highlights your physical or mental limitations. A vocational expert will often testify about whether jobs exist for someone with your specific restrictions, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Ensure all new medical records from the time of your initial denial are submitted well before the hearing deadline. The final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the proceedings conclude.
With a panel that varies in approval rates, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants spend their 9-month wait simply waiting for a date, but you can use that time to bridge gaps in your medical record and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony. Focusing on evidence quality remains the most effective way to navigate the hearing process.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at San Diego, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait time at this office is 9 months. This is slightly longer than the national average of 8.2 months, providing you extra time to work with an attorney to strengthen your file. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence during this period.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 15 judges at this office. Because there is a meaningful variation in approval rates across the panel, it is important to prepare your case based on the highest standards of evidence. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively to any judge.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA to ensure impartiality. An experienced attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the panel and how to best present your evidence regardless of who is assigned.
While you are not required to have an attorney, statistics consistently show that represented claimants have a higher likelihood of success. An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the SSDI hearing process and prepare you for questioning.