Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 53% approval rate for Keith Dietterle reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 37% to 68% range of his peers at the San Diego office. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been handled at this location.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dietterle. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dietterle'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 Keith Dietterle has remained relatively steady across his 1,324 decisions on record since 2016. Yearly performance shows minor fluctuations, with 54% approval in 2016, 53% in 2017, 51% in 2018, and 54% in 2019. This consistent pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dietterle'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
The San Diego hearing office serves you in California and the surrounding region. It is a busy office with 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the San Diego Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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.
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
Keith Dietterle has an approval rate of 53% on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 68% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Keith Dietterle has been consistent, moving from 54% in 2016 to 54% in 2019. This steady trend indicates a reliable pattern in his decision-making process. An attorney can help you understand how this might impact your case strategy.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but you can prepare your case thoroughly with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
