Approval rates
Susanne Lewald maintains a 60% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 28% to 65% range observed across the San Francisco bench. These figures are derived from 301 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lewald. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lewald'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 Susanne Lewald covers 301 lifetime decisions starting in 2016. During this period, her approval rate remained at 60%. Because SSA hearing assignments are determined by a workload-balancing algorithm, this pattern represents a consistent historical baseline rather than a reflection of any specific case type. This steady trend provides a clear view of her historical decision-making consistency.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lewald'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 Francisco hearing office
The San Francisco hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 10 judges on record. You can expect a formal administrative process where your evidence quality is the primary driver of success. You can see the San Francisco Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The San Francisco hearing office currently has 10 judges on record since 2016. Because cases are assigned randomly, you have no control over which judge hears your claim. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 65% lifetime. You can prepare for your hearing with the understanding that your evidence remains the most important factor regardless of your assigned judge.
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
Susanne Lewald has a 60% lifetime approval rate. This falls within the 28% to 65% range of all judges at the San Francisco hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office.
The data shows that Susanne Lewald's approval rate has been 60% since 2016. This consistency is based on 301 lifetime decisions. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of the assigned judge.
A 60% lifetime approval rate is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete before your hearing.