Approval rates
The approval rate for James Delphey is based on 2,299 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench, the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office show a range of 37% to 68% in their since-2016 records. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have handled cases in this region.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Delphey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Delphey'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
Since 2016, James Delphey has maintained a distinct pattern across 2,299 decisions. While the approval rate remained in the 27% to 35% range between 2016 and 2021, the data shows an upward trend in recent years, reaching 63% in 2025. This shift suggests that the latest period reflects a departure from the earlier, lower-approval years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Delphey'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 Delphey's most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office serves you in the California region and is part of a larger network of hearing offices that handle a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 58%, which provides a general sense of the environment at this location.
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, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 68% on their since-2016 records. Because individual approaches vary, understanding the office-wide context is helpful.
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 Delphey has a 37% approval rate on his 2,299 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego, the since-2016 approval rates range from 37% to 68%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in his decision patterns. While his approval rate was 32% in 2016, it trended upward in recent years, reaching 63% in 2025. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
