Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 78% approval rate for Phillip C. Lyman reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can compare against the 51% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. With 2,090 decisions on record, this data provides a stable view of past activity. 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 Lyman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lyman'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 Phillip C. Lyman has shown a generally upward trend across the 2,090 decisions on record since 2016. Starting at 59% in 2016, the rate reached 90% in 2020 before settling at 87% in 2022. This pattern reflects his decision-making over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lyman'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 Jose hearing office
Phillip C. Lyman's most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
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 San Jose, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 51% to 78%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Phillip C. Lyman has an approval rate of 78% on record since 2016. This places him at the higher end of the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Phillip C. Lyman has trended upward since 2016, moving from 59% in that year to 87% in 2022. This reflects his decision-making pattern across 2,090 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your case and navigate the hearing process.
