Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 76% approval rate on record since 2016 reflects a large docket of 2,824 decisions, providing a stable pattern for analysis. Within the Sacramento hearing office, the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show approval rates ranging from 39% to 80%.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Duran. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Duran'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, Lawrence J. Duran has maintained a consistent approval rate. After starting at 70% in 2016, the rate reached 82% in 2020 before settling at 78% in 2023. This pattern reflects the evaluation of 2,824 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Duran'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 Sacramento hearing office
The Sacramento hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. This office includes a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal hearing process where your evidence quality is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 80%. Because these rates vary across the bench, understanding the general environment of the office 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
The 76% approval rate on record since 2016 sits toward the higher end of the range for the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento, which spans from 39% to 80%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate has remained steady, moving from 70% in 2016 to 78% in 2023. While there was a peak of 82% in 2020, the overall pattern shows consistent decision-making across 2,824 decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ 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 for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Lawrence J. Duran has approved 76% of cases on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific criteria the judge will use to make a decision.
