Approval rates
The 54% approval rate for Jay E. Levine reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 37% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego. This docket of 2,104 decisions provides a baseline for understanding past trends. 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 Levine. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Levine'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 Jay E. Levine has shown variation across the 2,104 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 46% in 2016, the annual approval rate reached 58% in 2021. These yearly fluctuations are common in SSDI hearings and may be influenced by changes in the types of cases assigned or the evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Levine'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 Diego hearing office
Jay E. Levine's most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office, with decisions there through September 2021. This office serves you if you are in the California region and is part of a larger network of hearing offices that handle disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical documentation is the primary focus.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 37% to 68%. Because each judge has a different history, focus on the strength of your own medical evidence.
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
Jay E. Levine has an approval rate of 54% on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Jay E. Levine has fluctuated over the years, moving from 46% in 2016 to 58% in 2021. These changes are based on 2,104 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific hearing.
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, working with an attorney to prepare your evidence is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will be present to answer questions. An attorney can help you navigate these proceedings and present your case clearly.
The 54% approval rate for Jay E. Levine is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
