Approval rates
Understanding how your judge compares to their peers provides helpful context for your hearing. The approval rates on record since 2016 for the 10 judges at the Long Beach office range from 32% to 76%, placing Robert A. Evans within this established spectrum. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, ensuring the data reflects a consistent history of adjudication.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Evans. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Evans'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 Robert A. Evans has remained steady throughout the available data window. With 528 decisions on record since 2016, the consistency of these outcomes suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. The record shows a 67% approval rate in 2016, followed by 66% in 2017.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Evans'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 Long Beach hearing office
The Long Beach hearing office serves claimants across California. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges who have varied experience in handling disability claims. You can expect a formal environment where evidence quality is the primary driver of the outcome. You can see the Long Beach Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Beach
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 76% 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
Robert A. Evans has an approval rate of 67% based on 528 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 76% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Long Beach. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Robert A. Evans has remained steady, moving from 67% in 2016 to 66% in 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating disability claims. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you ensure your medical evidence is ready for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you feel more prepared for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert A. Evans has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends on the unique medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build a stronger case to present to the judge.
