Approval rates
The approval rate for Joel B. Martinez is based on 111 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how this judge has historically evaluated disability claims compared to the broader office range of 35% to 70%. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, your specific outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence you present. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Martinez. 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 Martinez'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
Joel B. Martinez has a lifetime approval rate of 35% across 111 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows a consistent pattern during this period, reflecting the judge's approach to evaluating the medical and vocational evidence presented in each claim. While individual cases vary, this record provides a stable view of the judge's historical decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martinez'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 Pasadena hearing office
The Pasadena hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 11 judges on record. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical documentation supporting your disability claim. Understanding the local office environment is a key step in your hearing preparation. You can see the Pasadena Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 70% over their respective lifetimes.
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
Joel B. Martinez has a lifetime approval rate of 35% based on 111 decisions. This sits at the lower end of the 35% to 70% range seen among the 11 judges on record at the Pasadena office. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy that addresses the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The data for Joel B. Martinez shows a steady pattern of 35% approval across the 111 decisions on record since 2016. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during the observed period. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, and you cannot choose your judge. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions Joel B. Martinez or any other judge may ask.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with the SSA's definition of disability. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.