Approval rates
The approval rates for Gary J. Lee reflect a consistent history of decision-making within the Honolulu hearing office. By examining the lifetime record of 929 decisions, you can see how this judge compares to the broader office-wide lifetime range of 61% to 83%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding your hearing environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lee. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lee'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 record for Gary J. Lee spans from 2016 to 2018, covering 929 lifetime decisions. Throughout this period, the approval rate moved from 81% in 2016 to 87% by 2018. This pattern shows a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim over the course of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lee'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Honolulu hearing office
The Honolulu hearing office serves you across Hawaii, operating as part of the regional SSA network. This office maintains a bench of 4 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Honolulu Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 4 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 61% to 83%. Because approval rates vary across the bench, understanding the local office environment is a helpful step in your preparation.
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
Gary J. Lee has an 83% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the high end of the 61% to 83% range seen among the 4 judges on record at the Honolulu office. While this rate is higher than the office-wide latest-period average of 68%, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a steady trend over the 929 decisions on record. The approval rate moved from 81% in 2016 to 87% in 2018. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures random distribution. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter at your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Gary J. Lee has an 83% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your hearing will depend primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.