Approval rates
We analyze the approval rate for Daniel G. Heely based on 1,992 decisions on record since 2016. This figure is best understood alongside the broader bench at the Stockton hearing office, where peers range from 23% to 82% approval on their own since-2016 records. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how different judges approach the evidence in your claim. 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 Heely. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Heely'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 Daniel G. Heely has shown variation across his 1,992 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 55% in 2016, the rate moved to 53% in 2017, 50% in 2018, and 58% in 2019. These fluctuations often occur due to changes in the complexity of cases or the specific medical evidence presented in your file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Heely'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 Stockton hearing office
Daniel G. Heely's most recent office on record is the Stockton hearing office, which serves claimants in California. This office is part of a regional network tasked with processing disability appeals. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 44%, your outcome depends heavily on the specific evidence in your file. You can see the Stockton hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 23% to 82% on their since-2016 records. You can find more information on the Stockton hearing office page.
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
Daniel G. Heely has a 53% approval rate on his 1,992 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton, who collectively span from 23% to 82% approval. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years, moving from 55% in 2016 to 53% in 2017, 50% in 2018, and 58% in 2019. These shifts are common and can be influenced by the types of cases assigned to the judge. An attorney can help you review how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have a strong, well-documented case regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and your functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are clearly presented.
The 53% approval rate for Daniel G. Heely is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
