Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Kirby holds a 61% lifetime approval rate, recent data shows a 59% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period performance sits 5 points above the Moreno Valley office average of 54%. These figures are based on a substantial docket of 2,938 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Kirby'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 trend for Kirby has shown notable shifts since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2021, the data indicates a significant increase in approvals during 2022 and 2023, followed by a more recent stabilization. This pattern suggests that your judge's approach to evidence and case requirements has evolved over the last decade. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern as the judge processes current caseloads.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kirby'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 Moreno Valley hearing office
The Moreno Valley hearing office serves you throughout the region, acting as a central hub for disability hearings in California. With a bench of 7 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload of SSDI and SSI claims. The office-wide latest approval rate is 54%, reflecting the collective decision-making environment of the local bench.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Moreno Valley hearing office currently has 7 judges on record since 2016, with 4 judges reported in the latest SSA filing. Because the SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge. Approval rates across this office's bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 72% on lifetime records. 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 Kirby's 59% latest-period approval rate is 5 points higher than the Moreno Valley office average of 54%. While this places the judge above the local office average, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you understand how to build a case that meets the evidentiary standards of this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Kirby has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching a low of 48% in 2021, the rate rose to 76% in 2023 before settling at 59% in the latest period. These trends often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or shifts in evidentiary requirements. An attorney can help you prepare for these shifts by ensuring your medical records are fully developed.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Moreno Valley office. Because you cannot control your assignment, it is essential to prepare your case thoroughly for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony aligns with your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Judge Kirby has a 61% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and address potential weaknesses before your hearing date.