Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 54% approval rate for Roxanne J. Kelsey covers all decisions on record since 2016, while the latest-period figures provide a snapshot of recent activity. When evaluating these numbers, consider that the judge's latest-period approval rate of 52% sits 9 points below the San Jose office average of 61%. These figures reflect past trends rather than a fixed outcome for your claim.
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 Kelsey'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, Roxanne J. Kelsey has issued 2,742 decisions. The yearly trend shows a relatively steady approval pattern, with fluctuations between 51% and 58% over the decade. While the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate of 52% is slightly lower than the overall average, it remains consistent with historical performance. This stability suggests a predictable approach to evidence evaluation, though your outcome depends heavily on the medical documentation you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kelsey'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 across California. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. You should be prepared for a rigorous review of your medical evidence and work history. You can see the San Jose Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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 office. Approval rates for this bench range from 51% to 78% on their 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
Roxanne J. Kelsey has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Jose office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Roxanne J. Kelsey has remained relatively steady, fluctuating between 51% and 58% since 2016. While the latest-period rate of 52% is slightly below the long-term average, it does not indicate a fundamental shift in decision-making. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
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 an attorney who can help you prepare for any assigned ALJ.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Roxanne J. Kelsey has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to meet SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
