Approval rates
Judge Agatstein’s 62% lifetime approval rate offers a clear view of his history at the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office. When compared to the latest reporting period, his performance remains consistent with the office average, while trending 3 points higher than the state and 4 points higher than the national average. This data is derived from a significant volume of 15,944 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Agatstein'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
Over his 6-year tenure, Judge Agatstein’s approval rate has experienced shifts, starting at 69% in 2016 and moving through various cycles before reaching 52% in 2021. This trend indicates a period of adjustment in his decision-making volume and outcomes. While the recent data reflects a lower percentage than his early years, his lifetime average of 62% remains the most reliable indicator of his long-term approach. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Agatstein'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.
Hearing with Judge Agatstein? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office serves a high volume of claimants across the Southern California region. With a bench of 6 judges, the office manages a complex caseload that reflects the diverse needs of the local population. The office currently maintains an approval rate of 62%, consistent with broader regional trends. You can see the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is effectively random. Within the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 36% to 76%. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide environment is essential. You can find more information on the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.