Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the volume of decisions made over time. With 101 decisions on record since 2016, the data provides a clear view of past activity. This rate is best understood when compared to the broader bench at the Salt Lake City office, where since-2016 approval rates for judges range from 28% to 85%. 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 Jensen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Jensen'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 Donald R. Jensen has remained consistent based on the 101 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, the judge reached an approval rate of 68% across all recorded decisions. This steady pattern provides a baseline for understanding how cases were handled during that specific window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jensen'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 Salt Lake City hearing office
The Salt Lake City hearing office serves you if you are in Utah and the surrounding region. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting the office's role in processing regional disability claims. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Salt Lake City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Salt Lake City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Salt Lake City office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 85% on their since-2016 records.
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
Donald R. Jensen has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 28% to 85% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Salt Lake City. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Donald R. Jensen has held steady at 68% based on the 101 decisions on record since 2016. Because this data covers a specific window, it reflects a consistent pattern of decision-making. A qualified attorney can help you understand how this history 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 randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare your case for a hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will likely face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for your hearing.
