Approval rates
This table compares the approval record of Robert E. Lowenstein against the broader bench at the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. The data reflects the 720 decisions issued by Robert E. Lowenstein between 2016 and 2018. These figures provide a statistical view of past activity, though aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Lowenstein is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Lowenstein isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lowenstein'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
Robert E. Lowenstein issued 720 decisions on record between 2016 and 2018. The approval rate was 77% during 2016, 77% in 2017, and 87% in 2018. This data reflects the activity during that specific window, with the final year of the record showing an increase compared to the previous years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lowenstein'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 Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown hearing office serves you if you are in California and is part of the broader SSA regional network. While 10 judges have their most recent record at this location, the office's active panel consists of the 4 judges who decided cases in the most recent SSA data file. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the evidence presented in your specific file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles Downtown, 4 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. These 4 judges have approval rates ranging from 38% to 74% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Robert E. Lowenstein's 78% approval rate on record through 2018 sits within the context of the office's historical bench. Because SSA assigns cases randomly, your hearing outcome depends on the specific evidence in your file rather than the judge's past averages. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of a hearing at this office.
The approval rate for Robert E. Lowenstein was 77% in 2016 and 2017, rising to 87% in 2018. These figures represent the activity during that specific window of time. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, which is designed to keep the process impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of a judge's past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear in front of any judge.
