Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While the office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 70%, Evelyn M. Gunn's latest-period rate is 59%. When evaluating her overall record since 2016, her 55% approval rate sits within the 38% to 78% range established by other judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. These figures rely on 2,315 decisions on record to provide a statistical view of past outcomes.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gunn'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, Evelyn M. Gunn has maintained a consistent pattern across 2,315 decisions on record. While annual approval rates have fluctuated—ranging from a low of 49% in 2017 to a high of 61% in 2016—the data shows a steady trend overall. Her latest-period approval rate of 59% is consistent with her historical average, suggesting that recent case outcomes remain aligned with her established decision-making patterns.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gunn'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 Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
Evelyn M. Gunn's most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 70%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles Downtown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 38% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains the same 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
Evelyn M. Gunn has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 38% to 78% range of approval rates for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Evelyn M. Gunn's approval rate has shown year-to-year variation since 2016, but the overall pattern remains steady. Her latest-period approval rate is 59%, which is consistent with her long-term performance across 2,315 decisions on record. An 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 uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to clearly demonstrate your eligibility.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Evelyn M. Gunn has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible evidence file for your hearing.
