Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the overall approval rate on record since 2016 is 58%, recent performance shows a 66% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 8 percentage points above the office average. These statistics are based on a significant volume of 2,411 decisions, providing a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Iafe'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 Robert Iafe has shown yearly fluctuations, ranging from a low of 50% in 2025 to a high of 66% in 2026. With 2,411 total decisions on record, the pattern indicates that approval outcomes are not static. The latest reporting period shows a 66% approval rate, which is higher than the average observed over the full data window. This recent uptick may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Iafe'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 Diego hearing office
The San Diego Hearing Office is the most recent office on record for Robert Iafe, with activity documented through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 15 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 58%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You may see the San Diego Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego Hearing Office. Approval rates among this bench range from 37% to 68% for records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Judge Iafe has an approval rate of 58% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 37% to 68% observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 58%, the most recent reporting period shows a 66% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
