Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. James L. Moser's 76% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 38% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. This docket size of over 2,000 decisions provides a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Moser. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Moser'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 trend for James L. Moser has remained relatively steady throughout his recorded activity. Starting with an 80% approval rate in 2016, the figures fluctuated slightly over the years, reaching 73% in 2019 and 77% in 2020 before his final recorded decisions in 2021. With 2,128 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Moser'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 Los Angeles Downtown hearing office
The Los Angeles Downtown hearing office, where James L. Moser's most recent record concludes as of September 2021, serves a large population in California. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges, each contributing to the office's overall activity. You can see the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles Downtown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 38% to 78%. While these peers operate within the same office, their individual dockets vary significantly in volume and outcome.
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
James L. Moser's 76% approval rate is at the higher end of the 38% to 78% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
James L. Moser's approval rate has remained steady, moving from 80% in 2016 to 73% in 2021. This consistency across 2,128 decisions suggests a stable decision-making pattern over the years. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a 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 for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
