Approval rates
Sasha Kurbegov's 75% lifetime approval rate is at the top end of the 31% to 75% range observed among the 22 judges on record at the Denver office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge maintained a 75% approval rate, which sits 14 percentage points above the office-wide latest-period average of 61%. These figures are based on a docket of 1,094 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical baseline for your review.
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 Kurbegov'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 2023, the decision pattern for Sasha Kurbegov has shown notable activity, with an approval rate that reached 82% in 2025 before settling at 75% in the most recent period. Across 1,094 lifetime decisions, the judge has demonstrated a consistent approach to evaluating disability claims. The latest period reflects a 66% fully-favorable rate and a 25% denial rate. This trend suggests a judge who remains focused on 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 Kurbegov'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 Denver hearing office
The Denver hearing office serves claimants across Colorado and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 22 judges on record, maintaining an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. If you are appearing here, you can expect a review of your medical documentation and vocational history. For more information, see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/denver-CO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Sasha Kurbegov is essentially random. Within the Denver hearing office, there are 22 judges on record since 2016, with 9 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 75% on a lifetime basis. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Sasha Kurbegov's 75% lifetime approval rate is at the high end of the 31% to 75% range seen among the 22 judges on record at the Denver office. Because approval rates vary widely, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this judge.
The approval rate has remained steady, with a fluctuation from 73% in 2023 to 75% in the most recent period. This consistency across 1,094 lifetime decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence to strengthen your claim.