Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 60% approval rate for Edward C. Graham covers all decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 32% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office. This broad range highlights how much the specific judge assigned to your case can influence the outcome. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Graham. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Graham'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 Edward C. Graham has remained relatively steady across the 2,126 decisions on record since 2016. While annual figures fluctuated between 56% and 62% for most of the period, the data shows a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. The final partial year of data in 2021 showed a 71% approval rate, though this was based on a smaller volume of 24 decisions. This trend suggests a stable decision-making pattern over the course of the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Graham'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 you if you are in the California region. This office features a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. 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 draw is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 32% to 76%, your assigned judge is a meaningful factor in your hearing process. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Edward C. Graham has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 76% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Edward C. Graham has held roughly steady over the years on record. While annual fluctuations occurred, the judge maintained a consistent approach across 2,126 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these past patterns might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, algorithm-based system to assign cases to ensure workload balance. Since you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Edward C. Graham will rule on your specific claim. The strength of your medical evidence and your ability to document your disability remain the most important factors. An attorney can help you build a stronger case regardless of the judge's historical rate.
