Approval rates
The approval rate for William K. Mueller is based on 2,914 decisions issued since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the San Diego Hearing Office, where peers range from 37% to 68% in their own since-2016 records. This range provides a clear view of how individual decision patterns vary within the same office.
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
Since 2016, William K. Mueller has issued 2,914 total decisions. Your yearly approval trend shows performance of 55% in 2016, 69% in 2017, 73% in 2018, 72% in 2019, 74% in 2020, 75% in 2021, 62% in 2022, 71% in 2023, and 52% in 2024. These annual fluctuations reflect changes in case mix and evidence quality over time.
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
William K. Mueller's most recent office on record is the San Diego Hearing Office. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the specific medical evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 68% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
William K. Mueller has an approval rate of 68% across 2,914 decisions on record since 2016. This places him at the higher end of the range for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego Hearing Office, where rates vary from 37% to 68%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for William K. Mueller has fluctuated over the years, starting at 55% in 2016 and reaching a high of 75% in 2021 before more recent shifts. These variations are common in SSDI hearings and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, you should focus on preparing a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While William K. Mueller has approved 68% of the 2,914 cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical documentation and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
