Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Barbara Dunn has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016, recent performance shows a 74% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 7 percentage points above the Pasadena office average of 67%, 13 points above the state, and 16 points above the national average. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your review of the office's recent trends.
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 maintained a consistent approval pattern across 3,405 decisions. The yearly trend shows performance ranging from 60% in 2019 to 80% in 2022, with a 74% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This stability suggests that your evaluation will be based on the evidence you provide in your specific claim.
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 you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 11 judges on record. As of the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate stands at 67%. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Pasadena hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena
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 the Pasadena office. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 35% to 70% on their since-2016 records. You can view the Pasadena hearing office page to see the full roster of judges.
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's 70% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena, who collectively span from 35% to 70%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Barbara Dunn has seen variations over time, starting at 67% in 2016 and reaching 74% in the most recent partial reporting period for 2026. These shifts often reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases via a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends on the medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a strong case.
