Approval rates
Evaluating a judge requires looking at both their long-term history and their most recent performance. Barbara Dunn has a lifetime approval rate of 70%, which sits within the 35% to 70% range observed among judges at the Pasadena office. In the latest reporting period, her 74% approval rate exceeds the office-wide average of 67% by 7 percentage points. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Dunn'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, Barbara Dunn has issued 3,405 decisions. Her approval rate has shown a notable upward trend over the last several years, rising from a lower point in 2019 to reach 80% in 2022, before stabilizing near 74% in the most recent period. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, indicating that the judge's current decision-making remains aligned with her recent historical performance.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dunn'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
The Pasadena hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, operating as a key hub for disability adjudications in California. The office maintains a bench of 11 judges who handle a high volume of cases, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 67%. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Pasadena Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Pasadena hearing office currently has 11 judges on record since 2016, with 5 judges actively reporting in the latest SSA data. Because the Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge. Approval rates across the office bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 70% lifetime. 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
Barbara Dunn has a lifetime approval rate of 70%, which is at the top end of the 35% to 70% range for judges at the Pasadena office. While her rate is higher than many of her peers, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this specific judge.
Yes, the data shows a shift in her approval patterns since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates around 2019, her record trended upward, reaching 80% in 2022 and maintaining a strong 74% in the most recent period. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to current standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony clearly explains why you cannot work.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Barbara Dunn's 70% lifetime approval rate provides context, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you step into the hearing room.