Approval rates
Comparing Corinne T. McLaughlin's approval rate to the broader bench provides context for your hearing. The 48% approval rate on record since 2017 sits within the 26% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland hearing office. Latest-period data shows a 48% approval rate, which is 18 points below the office-wide latest-period rate of 66%.
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 McLaughlin'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 December 2017, Corinne T. McLaughlin has issued 2,666 decisions. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, with rates moving from 53% in 2018 to 39% in 2021, followed by 54% in 2024 and 55% in 2025. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate of 50% remains consistent with this recent activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McLaughlin'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 Oakland hearing office
Corinne T. McLaughlin's most recent office on record is the Oakland hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 66%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oakland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 84% on their records since 2016.
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
Corinne T. McLaughlin's 48% approval rate on record since 2017 is part of a broader range of 26% to 84% among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland hearing office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards required by this judge.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 2,666 decisions on record since December 2017. While the rate reached 39% in 2021, it rose to 55% in 2025 and sits at 50% for the partial 2026 fiscal year. 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 uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Oakland hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest case.
The 48% approval rate on record since 2017 reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to support your claim.
