Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 53% approval rate for Eva Chan reflects all decisions on record since 2023, which provides a sample size of 1,243 cases. When evaluating this against the Stockton bench, where judges range from 23% to 82% in their approval rates, consider both the long-term record and recent trends. 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 Chan'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 Eva Chan has shifted since 2023. Starting at 65% in 2023, the rate moved to 57% in 2024, 51% in 2025, and 49% through the partial 2026 fiscal year. This trend indicates a steady adjustment over the 1,243 decisions on record. The latest-period approval rate of 50% remains consistent with this recent pattern, suggesting that the current approach is a continuation of the trend observed over the last few years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chan'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 Stockton hearing office
Eva Chan's most recent office on record is the Stockton hearing office, which serves you in California. This office is part of a regional network that handles a high volume of disability claims. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench provides a diverse range of decision patterns. You can see the Stockton hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 4 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 23% to 82%. 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
Eva Chan has an approval rate of 53% since 2023. This places her within the range of 23% to 82% seen among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Stockton hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Eva Chan has trended from 65% in 2023 to 49% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This reflects a steady pattern across 1,243 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your case, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Eva Chan has approved 53% of cases since 2023, your result depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
