Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at how a judge's approval rate compares to the broader bench. Susanne Lewald has maintained a 60% approval rate across 301 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 28% to 65% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. 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 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 approval rate for Susanne Lewald has remained 60% based on the 301 decisions on record since 2016. Because the data window for this judge covers a specific period ending in 2016, the pattern reflects a stable approach to case evaluation during that time. Understanding these historical trends can help you prepare for the evidence requirements of your own hearing.
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
Susanne Lewald's most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office, which serves you across the California region. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 65% on their since-2016 records. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes at this office provides useful context for 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
Susanne Lewald has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 28% to 65% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Susanne Lewald has held at 60% across the 301 decisions on record since 2016. Because the data window for this judge is limited to 2016, the pattern is consistent for that period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how this history might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. Susanne Lewald has approved 60% of the 301 cases on record since 2016. Your success depends primarily on the strength and clarity of your medical evidence, and an attorney can help you build the strongest possible case.
