Approval rates
Comparing Josephine Arno to the broader bench at the Moreno Valley office provides context for how your hearing may unfold. While her 54% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 40% to 72% range of her peers at this office, recent performance shows a 68% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 14 points above the office average.
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 Arno'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
Since 2016, Josephine Arno has maintained a varied approval pattern across 3,481 decisions on record. After a period of lower approval rates between 2017 and 2021, the data shows a shift toward higher approval rates starting in 2022. The most recent fiscal year data indicates this trend of higher approval remains active.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Arno'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 Moreno Valley hearing office
The Moreno Valley Hearing Office, with its most recent record dated July 2026, serves you across the region. This office hosts a bench of 7 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period is 54%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is effectively random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among these judges vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 72% on their records 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
Josephine Arno has a 54% approval rate on her record since 2016. This places her within the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. After a period of lower approval rates from 2017 to 2021, the approval rate increased in 2022 and has remained higher through the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, working with an attorney to build a strong case is essential.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. While the 54% approval rate since 2016 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to see if it meets the criteria for approval.
