Approval rates
The approval rate for Mason D. Harrell Jr. is calculated from 3,029 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the San Bernardino hearing office, where the 5 judges range from 52% to 64% in their approval rates over the same period. This range provides context for the local decision-making environment. 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 Harrell Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harrell Jr.'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, the approval rate for Mason D. Harrell Jr. has shown notable movement. After starting at 53% in 2016, the rate grew to 73% in 2020. While the rate fluctuated in subsequent years, it remained in the upper range of his historical performance, with a 69% approval rate recorded in 2024. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harrell Jr.'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 Bernardino hearing office
The San Bernardino hearing office serves you across the region, operating as part of the broader California disability adjudication network. There are 5 judges with their most recent record at this office. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Bernardino
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the San Bernardino hearing office, there are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show an approval-rate range of 52% to 64% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, 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
Mason D. Harrell Jr. has an approval rate of 62% on his record since 2016. This places him within the 52% to 64% range observed among the 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Bernardino hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Yes, the approval rate for Mason D. Harrell Jr. has varied over time. It began at 53% in 2016 and reached a high of 73% in 2020, before settling at 69% in 2024. These trends are common in SSDI adjudication and may be influenced by various factors in the cases heard. An attorney can help you determine if your claim is prepared to meet the evidentiary standards required for approval.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that hearings are distributed efficiently. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure all relevant evidence is properly submitted.
