Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Joel G. Fina reflects his total decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 35% to 84% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Brook. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches operate, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Fina. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fina'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 Joel G. Fina has fluctuated since 2016 across his 3,639 decisions on record. After reaching a high of 70% in 2017, the rate saw a low of 55% in 2020 before trending to 66% in 2025. These shifts may reflect changes in case mix or the evidence presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fina'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 Oak Brook hearing office
The Oak Brook hearing office is the most recent office on record for Joel G. Fina as of September 2025. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. You can review the Oak Brook hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Brook
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 Oak Brook, and their approval rates vary from 35% to 84%. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes across the office is helpful for your preparation.
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
Joel G. Fina has an approval rate of 61% on record since 2016. This sits within the 35% to 84% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Brook. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 64% in 2016 and reaching 66% in 2025. While there have been years of lower approval, such as 55% in 2020, the recent data shows a trend of 65% in 2024 and 66% in 2025. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions 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 ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
The 61% approval rate for Joel G. Fina is a historical average, not a guarantee of how he will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends on the medical evidence and testimony presented at your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
