Approval rates
The approval rate for Carol A. Eckersen is based on 2,795 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2024. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader context of the Sacramento hearing office, where judges' approval rates range from 39% to 80% on their records since 2016. This range highlights the variance in decision-making across the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Eckersen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Eckersen'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 trend for Carol A. Eckersen has shifted since 2016. After starting at 50% in 2016, the rate remained stable before rising to 67% in 2022 and 69% in 2023. The most recent data from 2024 shows a rate of 64%. These shifts indicate that your judge's decision pattern is not static.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eckersen'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 across the region. The office features a bench of 20 judges with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Sacramento Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. At the Sacramento hearing office, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 39% to 80% on their records since 2016.
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
Carol A. Eckersen's 59% approval rate sits within the broader range of 39% to 80% observed among the 20 judges at the Sacramento hearing office. Because every judge has a unique approach to weighing evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the judge's approval rate has fluctuated. It began at 50% in 2016 and reached a high of 69% in 2023, with the most recent 2024 data showing a rate of 64%. Understanding these trends is part of a comprehensive case strategy, and an attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might impact your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Regardless of the judge, an attorney can help you ensure your medical evidence is fully prepared for your hearing.
An SSDI 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. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to present the strongest case possible.
The 59% approval rate for Carol A. Eckersen is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how she will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends heavily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your file and strengthen your case before the hearing date.
