Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Michael A. Cabotaje's 62% approval rate since 2017 sits within the 43% to 79% range of the San Rafael bench's records. In the most recent reporting period, his 59% approval rate compares to the office's 61%, the state's 61%, and the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a significant docket of 2,428 decisions on record since 2017. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Cabotaje'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 Michael A. Cabotaje has fluctuated since 2017, showing a rise from 50% in 2017 to a peak of 78% in 2023 before moderating to 61% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 2,428 decisions on record, this pattern reflects a judge who has navigated varying case volumes and evidence standards. The latest-period approval rate of 59% is slightly lower than the long-term average, reflecting recent shifts in the types of cases or evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cabotaje'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 San Rafael hearing office
Michael A. Cabotaje's most recent office on record is the San Rafael hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the local region in California, maintaining a bench of 8 judges with varying approval patterns. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision. You can see the San Rafael Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Rafael office, with 4 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 43% to 79% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Michael A. Cabotaje's 62% approval rate on record since 2017 falls within the 43% to 79% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. While he sits within this range, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. It started at 50% in 2017, rose to 78% in 2023, and is currently at 61% for the partial 2026 fiscal year. These shifts are common in SSDI hearings and may reflect changes in case mix or the complexity of evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
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, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you review your evidence to see if it aligns with the requirements for a favorable decision.
