Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. Judge Reason's lifetime approval rate of 43% sits within the 40% to 67% range observed across the Los Angeles West bench. In the most recent reporting period, her 42% approval rate is 20 percentage points lower than the office-wide latest-period average of 62%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your specific outcome.
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 Reason'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, Judge Reason has maintained a consistent volume of cases, with 3,290 lifetime decisions on record. Her yearly approval trends show fluctuations, moving from 52% in 2016 to 42% in 2026. This pattern reflects a steady approach to evidence evaluation over the last decade. The latest period shows a denial rate of 58%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reason'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 West hearing office
The Los Angeles West hearing office serves claimants throughout the California region. With 9 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 62%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can find the full ALJ roster on the Los Angeles West Hearing Office page.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 9 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 40% to 67% on a lifetime basis. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Judge Reason's 43% lifetime approval rate is at the lower end of the 40% to 67% range seen among the 9 judges on record at the Los Angeles West office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific judge.
Judge Reason's approval rate has seen shifts since 2016, starting at 52% and reaching 42% in the most recent 2026 reporting period. These variations often reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you identify the strongest points of your claim to address these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a 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 testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Judge Reason has a 43% lifetime approval rate, your individual result depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors in your file. An attorney can help you build the most compelling case possible.