Approval rates
The 60% approval rate for Wayne N. Araki reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 21% to 93% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have approached their dockets.
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 approval rate for Wayne N. Araki showed variation across the 1,017 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 56% in 2016, the data indicates 70% in 2017, 61% in 2018, and 51% in 2019. These shifts reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the specific evidence presented in a given year.
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 you throughout the region. With 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. Individual outcomes depend on the specific medical evidence and testimony you provide in your case.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 93% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the broader bench helps contextualize the hearing process.
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
Wayne N. Araki has an approval rate of 60% based on 1,017 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 93% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these patterns.
Yes, the data shows annual fluctuations. The approval rate was 56% in 2016, 70% in 2017, 61% in 2018, and 51% in 2019. These variations are common and may be influenced by changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that hearings are distributed randomly among the available judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on building the strongest possible case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Wayne N. Araki has approved 60% of cases on record since 2016, every case is unique and decided on its own merits. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
