Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure the data remains meaningful. While the 40% approval rate reflects the entire window since 2016, the latest-period data provides a snapshot of more recent activity. These figures, derived from 3,781 decisions on record, offer a baseline for understanding how this judge's docket compares to the broader bench at the Los Angeles West office.
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 Breen'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 trend for Richard T. Breen has fluctuated since 2016. After starting at 24% in 2016, the rate grew to a peak of 55% in 2022 before shifting in more recent years. The latest-period approval rate of 46% sits below the office-wide average of 62%, reflecting a distinct pattern in how cases are resolved.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Breen'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 Los Angeles West hearing office
The Los Angeles West hearing office serves you as part of the SSA's national network. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 62%. You can see the Los Angeles West Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and they show an approval-rate range from 40% to 67% 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
Judge Breen has an approval rate of 40% on record since 2016. This places him within the 40% to 67% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles West hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Richard T. Breen has varied over time, moving from 24% in 2016 to a peak of 55% in 2022, with a 46% rate in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence might be viewed.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 40% approval rate for Richard T. Breen is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence to strengthen your case.
