Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 53% approval rate for James S. Carletti reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 37% to 68% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office. 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 Carletti. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Carletti'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 James S. Carletti has remained steady at 53% across the 354 decisions on record between 2016 and 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during the period for which data is available. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, this historical pattern serves as a baseline for understanding how the judge has handled similar claims in the past.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Carletti'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 Diego hearing office
James S. Carletti's most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves the California region and maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality remains the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 37% to 68% on their since-2016 records. 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
James S. Carletti has an approval rate of 53% based on 354 decisions since 2016. This falls within the 37% to 68% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for James S. Carletti has remained steady at 53% across the 2016 and 2017 data window. This consistency indicates a stable decision-making pattern during the period recorded. If you are concerned about how this may affect your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the San Diego hearing office. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge; an attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert may participate. Having legal representation can help ensure your evidence is presented effectively to the judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While James S. Carletti has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
