Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. William K. Mueller maintains a 68% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the top of the 37% to 68% range observed among all judges on record at the San Diego office. These figures are derived from a substantial volume of 2,914 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mueller. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mueller'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 record for William K. Mueller shows a varied trajectory since 2016. After an initial period of growth, the approval rate reached a peak of 75% in 2021 before experiencing a decline in 2022 and a subsequent fluctuation in more recent data. With 2,914 lifetime decisions on record, these shifts highlight how your case mix and evidence quality can influence annual outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mueller'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 San Diego hearing office
The San Diego hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a key hub for California disability cases. The office bench consists of 15 judges on record who manage a high volume of hearings. You can expect a rigorous review process where the quality of your medical documentation is paramount. See the San Diego hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 68% 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
William K. Mueller has a 68% lifetime approval rate, which is at the high end of the 37% to 68% range for all judges at the San Diego office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a fluctuation in approval rates since 2016. While the rate reached 75% in 2021, more recent years show a different pattern, with 52% approval in 2024. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. An attorney can help you prepare for your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by ensuring your case is as strong as possible.