Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data windows to ensure accuracy. Richard L. Sasena's 62% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 44% to 74% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI. These figures are derived from a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sasena. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sasena'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 approval rate for Richard L. Sasena remained consistent during the period of 2016 to 2017. With 689 decisions on record since 2016, the data shows a 63% approval rate in 2016 followed by 61% in 2017. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during the time the judge was active at this office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sasena'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 Livonia MI hearing office
The Livonia MI hearing office serves claimants across the Michigan region. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Livonia MI Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 74% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Richard L. Sasena's 62% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 44% to 74% range of the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI. Because case assignment is random, you should focus on building a strong case with your attorney regardless of the judge assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The approval rate for Richard L. Sasena remained steady, moving from 63% in 2016 to 61% in 2017. This consistency across 689 decisions on record since 2016 indicates a stable pattern of decision-making during that period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a recommended strategy. An attorney can help you navigate the process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific types of questions Richard L. Sasena or any other judge may ask regarding your limitations. An attorney can help you build your case.
An approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of medical evidence and how well your case is presented, which is where an attorney can help you. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
