Approval rates
The approval rate for James D. Goodman is based on 1,235 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically evaluated claims compared to the 35% to 70% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pasadena hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Goodman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Goodman'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, James D. Goodman has maintained a consistent pattern of approvals. The data shows a trend of 40% in 2016, 42% in 2017, 41% in 2018, 46% in 2019, and 59% in 2020. With 1,235 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a stable approach to evidence evaluation over the four-year period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Goodman'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
James D. Goodman's most recent office on record is the Pasadena hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves the California region. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pasadena
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the judge you draw essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pasadena hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 35% to 70% 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
James D. Goodman's 43% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 35% to 70% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pasadena hearing office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this hearing office.
James D. Goodman's approval rate has shown a trend over the years, starting at 40% in 2016 and reaching 46% in 2019, with a 59% rate in 2020. Understanding these historical patterns is part of building a strong claim, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might be assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
The 43% approval rate on record for James D. Goodman is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. An attorney can help you understand how your case's specific medical evidence may be viewed by the judge.
