Approval rates
Ken H. Chau's 66% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 35% to 70% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pasadena office. In the most recent reporting period, his 74% approval rate outperformed the office average of 67% and the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions on record since 2016, providing a stable view of his recent activity.
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 Chau'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 Ken H. Chau has shown movement since 2016. After starting at 53% in 2016, the rate fluctuated before reaching 81% in 2024. The latest reporting period shows a 74% approval rate, which remains elevated compared to his long-term average. This recent performance reflects a continuation of a generally higher approval pattern observed in the latter half of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chau'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 Pasadena hearing office
Ken H. Chau's most recent office on record is the Pasadena Hearing Office. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 67%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 70% 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
Ken H. Chau's 66% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 35% to 70% range of his peers at the Pasadena office. In the latest reporting period, he approved 74% of cases, which is 7 percentage points higher than the office-wide average of 67%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the rate has shifted over time. It began at 53% in 2016 and reached 81% in 2024, with the most recent partial data for 2026 showing a 74% approval rate. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how Ken H. Chau will rule on your specific claim. Your medical evidence and vocational factors are the primary drivers of a successful outcome. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
