Approval rates
The approval rate for Judge Araki is based on 1,017 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2019. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how cases have historically been decided in this courtroom. When compared to the broader Seattle office bench, which features a wide range of approval rates from 21% to 93%, this data offers context for the hearing environment. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Araki. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Araki'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 decision pattern for Judge Araki shows a range of activity across the 2016 to 2019 data window. After an initial approval rate of 56% in 2016, the rate rose to 70% in 2017 before adjusting to 61% in 2018 and 51% in 2019. This fluctuation reflects how the judge's approach to evidence and case requirements has shifted over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Araki'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 Seattle hearing office
The Seattle hearing office serves the Washington region, managing a diverse caseload of disability claims. With 22 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains a consistent flow of hearings to address the needs of local residents. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial climate.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates spanning from 21% to 93%. Because of this variance, understanding the office environment is helpful for your preparation.
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
Judge Araki has a lifetime approval rate of 60% across 1,017 decisions. This places the judge within the broader office-wide range of 21% to 93% seen among the 22 judges on record at the Seattle office. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case.
Yes, the data shows a variance in approval rates between 2016 and 2019. The rate moved from 56% in 2016 to a high of 70% in 2017, followed by 61% in 2018 and 51% in 2019. An attorney can help you prepare for the current evidentiary standards expected in this courtroom.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 60% lifetime approval rate for Judge Araki is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.