Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data window to ensure accuracy. The most relevant comparison is the range of 43% to 79% observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. This range reflects the variance in how different judges weigh evidence and testimony. 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 O'Connor. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge O'Connor'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 1,134 decisions on record since 2016 show a fluctuating approval trend. After maintaining a 45% approval rate in 2016 and 2017, the rate shifted to 33% in 2018, 49% in 2019, and 55% in 2020. This variation suggests that the approach to case evidence has evolved over the period of record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge O'Connor'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 Rafael hearing office
Mary Beth O'Connor's most recent office on record is the San Rafael hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves claimants in California. With 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you may encounter a variety of judicial approaches.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence remains the most effective way to prepare.
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
Mary Beth O'Connor's 45% approval rate on record since 2016 sits toward the lower end of the 43% to 79% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is San Rafael. Because every case is unique, this rate is not a predictor of your outcome. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. The rate was 45% in 2016, reached a low of 33% in 2018, and rose to 55% by 2020. Understanding these fluctuations is part of building a strong case strategy. An attorney can help you determine how to best present your medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and directly addresses the criteria for disability.
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 medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA regulations. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
