Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same time period to ensure accuracy. While Yeline Quinones-Regalado maintains an 83% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period approval rate of 82% sits 10 percentage points above the San Juan office average of 72%. These figures are drawn from a docket of 3,516 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of her decision history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Quinones-Regalado'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 2017, the approval pattern for Yeline Quinones-Regalado has shown a steady trajectory. After initial fluctuations in 2018 and 2019, her approval rates rose and remained consistently high, staying between 86% and 91% from 2020 through 2025. The most recent data from 2026 shows an 82% approval rate, which remains a strong indicator of her overall record. This latest period reflects a continuation of a generally favorable pattern for your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Quinones-Regalado'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves claimants throughout Puerto Rico. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains a collaborative environment where judges handle a diverse range of disability claims. The office currently reports a 72% approval rate for the latest period. You can learn more about the local bench by visiting the San Juan Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. At the San Juan hearing office, there are 11 judges on record since 2016, with 7 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. These judges show a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 62% to 88%. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Yeline Quinones-Regalado's latest-period approval rate of 82% is 10 percentage points higher than the San Juan office average of 72%. While this suggests a higher rate of favorable decisions, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence to meet the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2020, consistently staying above 80% in recent years. While the 2026 rate of 82% is slightly lower than the 2021 peak of 91%, it remains well above the national average. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's lifetime approval rate of 83% provides context about their past decisions, but it is not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.