Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Masterson maintains an 82% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows a 91% approval rate, which sits 22 points above the Santa Barbara office average of 69%. These figures are derived from a substantial volume of 3,572 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of historical trends.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Masterson'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
Since 2016, the decision pattern for Masterson has shown a consistent upward trend in approval rates. Starting at 73% in 2017, the rate has climbed to 91% in the most recent reporting period. This shift indicates a sustained pattern of favorable outcomes compared to earlier years in the record. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, which remains notably higher than the office, state, and national averages.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Masterson'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 Santa Barbara hearing office
The Santa Barbara hearing office serves the surrounding region of California, managing a diverse caseload of disability claims. With a bench of 7 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 69%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016, 3 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 82% on a lifetime basis.
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
Masterson's latest-period approval rate of 91% is 22 points higher than the Santa Barbara office average of 69%. While approval rates vary across the 7 judges on record at this office, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a clear upward trend in approval rates since 2016. The rate has grown from 73% in 2017 to 91% in the most recent reporting period, reflecting a consistent pattern over her 3,572 lifetime decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure administrative efficiency. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case file.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter during your hearing.
A high approval rate indicates that a judge has historically allowed a large percentage of claims, but it is not a guarantee of success for your specific application. Every case is decided on its own merits and the quality of the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively for your hearing.