Approval rates
The approval rate for Robert E. Lowenstein is based on 720 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the broader Los Angeles Downtown bench, where lifetime approval rates among judges range from 38% to 78%. Because the SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, your specific hearing outcome depends on the unique evidence in your file. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your individual hearing outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lowenstein. 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 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
The record for Robert E. Lowenstein shows a consistent pattern of approvals, starting at 77% in 2016 and reaching 87% in 2018. With 720 total decisions on record, the data reflects a stable approach to evaluating your disability claim over the observed period. While the recent uptick in the final year of the data window suggests a shift, your case mix and evidence quality often drive these fluctuations. This trend provides a historical view of how the judge has approached cases since 2016.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for SSDI adjudication in California. The office hosts a bench of 10 judges who manage a high volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal proceeding where the focus remains on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown hearing office currently maintains a bench of 10 judges on record since 2016, with 4 judges reporting in the most recent SSA period. Because the SSA uses a random assignment algorithm to balance workloads, you cannot choose your judge. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, spanning from 38% to 78% on a lifetime basis. You can find more information about the office's overall performance on the Los Angeles Downtown Hearing Office page.
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 sits at the higher end of the approval spectrum at the Los Angeles Downtown office, which features a lifetime approval range of 38% to 78% among its 10 judges. While this rate is high, every case is unique and depends on your specific medical documentation. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
The data for Robert E. Lowenstein shows a steady approval pattern, with rates of 77% in 2016 and 2017, followed by an increase to 87% in 2018. These 720 lifetime decisions reflect a consistent approach to the evidence presented in your disability claim. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Los Angeles Downtown office, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your file.
A 78% lifetime approval rate provides context for the judge's history, but it is not a guarantee of your specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for the hearing.