Approval rates
The approval rate for Jamie Mendelson is derived from 936 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2019. This figure sits within the broader range of 31% to 75% observed across the Denver hearing office bench. Understanding these patterns provides context for your hearing, though it is important to remember that every case is unique. 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 Mendelson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mendelson'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
Jamie Mendelson has issued 936 decisions since the data window opened in 2016. The yearly trend shows a shift in approval frequency, moving from 51% in 2017 to 26% in 2018, before settling at 30% in 2019. This pattern reflects a period of adjustment in the judge's decision-making volume and outcomes. The recent data suggests a consistent approach following the initial variance observed in the early years of this record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mendelson'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 Denver hearing office
The Denver hearing office serves you if you are a claimant throughout Colorado and the surrounding region. With 22 judges on record, the office manages a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in a decision. You can see the Denver Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges on record at this office since 2016, 9 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates vary significantly across this group, ranging from 31% to 75% on a lifetime basis. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Jamie Mendelson has a lifetime approval rate of 31% across 936 decisions. This places the judge at the lower end of the 31% to 75% range observed among the 22 judges on record at the Denver office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to address the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Jamie Mendelson was 51% in 2017, 26% in 2018, and 30% in 2019. This trend shows a decline from the initial year followed by a period of relative stability. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you organize your medical records and testimony.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding held before an ALJ. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical conditions. An attorney can help you practice your testimony and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Jamie Mendelson has a 31% approval rate, your case's success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to support your claim.