Approval rates
The 70% approval rate for Sandra H. Morales-Rosa reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which compares against the 44% to 71% range observed among the bench at the Philadelphia East office during that same window.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Morales-Rosa. The most recent period with decisions on record is March 30, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Morales-Rosa'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 Sandra H. Morales-Rosa shows an upward trend across the 768 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 64% in 2016, 71% in 2017, and 79% in the 2018 record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morales-Rosa'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 Philadelphia East hearing office
Sandra H. Morales-Rosa's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia East hearing office, with decisions there through March 2018. This office serves claimants in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East
Across the Philadelphia East office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 71% on their since-2016 records.
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
Sandra H. Morales-Rosa has a 70% approval rate on her 768 decisions since 2016. This is at the higher end of the 44% to 71% range seen among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Sandra H. Morales-Rosa has trended upward, moving from 64% in 2016 to 79% in the 2018 record. An attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using an automated workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While it provides context for the judge's history, the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in a decision. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a favorable outcome.
