Approval rates
The approval rate for T. Patrick Hannon is based on 1,885 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2021. This figure is compared against the broader bench at the San Jose hearing office, where the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of 51% to 78% for their own records since 2016. These data points provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hannon. 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 Hannon'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 T. Patrick Hannon has shown an upward trend over the period from 2016 to 2021. Starting at 53% in 2016, the annual approval rate rose to 73% in 2020 and 93% in the partial 2021 data. With 1,885 total decisions on record, this shift reflects a change in the outcomes of cases heard by the judge over the five-year window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hannon'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 San Jose hearing office
The San Jose hearing office serves claimants in the California region. This office features a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
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 the San Jose hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 51% to 78% on their records since 2016. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide bench is a helpful part of 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
T. Patrick Hannon has an approval rate of 61% based on 1,885 decisions since 2016. This places the judge within the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for T. Patrick Hannon has trended upward, moving from 53% in 2016 to 93% in the 2021 partial data. This pattern is based on a total of 1,885 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The 61% approval rate for T. Patrick Hannon represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
