Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Judge Reich's 63% approval rate since 2016 provides a baseline when measured against the 40% to 67% range of other judges at the Los Angeles West office. In the most recent reporting period, Judge Reich's 76% approval rate outperformed the office average of 62%, the state average of 61%, and the national average of 58%. These figures are based on thousands of decisions, providing a view of historical patterns.
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 Reich'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 January 2016, Judge Reich has issued 3,568 decisions. The yearly trend shows a period of fluctuation followed by a recent upward shift in approval rates. After a dip in 2018, the approval rate has generally trended higher, reaching 78% in 2025 and maintaining a 76% rate in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance sits above the long-term average, which may reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reich'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 is the most recent office on record for Judge Reich, with activity recorded through July 2026. This office serves a large volume of claimants in California and operates with a bench of 9 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 62%. You can expect a formal hearing process where your evidence and testimony are evaluated against federal disability standards.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles West office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 67% since 2016.
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 Reich has a 63% approval rate since 2016, which sits within the 40% to 67% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Los Angeles West office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 63%, recent data shows a 76% approval rate in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. While Judge Reich's 63% rate since 2016 provides context, your success depends on the specific medical evidence and documentation in your file. An attorney can help you strengthen your case to meet the necessary criteria for approval.
