Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While Trevor Skarda has a 57% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period performance shows a 69% approval rate, which sits 25 points above the Stockton office's latest-period average of 44%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable statistical baseline. 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 Skarda'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, the record for Trevor Skarda shows a clear evolution in his decision-making pattern. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2022, the data indicates a recent upward trend in approvals, reaching 69% in the latest reporting period. This shift suggests that recent cases have seen a higher rate of favorable outcomes compared to his earlier years on the bench. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern of rising approval rates.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Skarda'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 Stockton hearing office
The Stockton hearing office serves you throughout California and is a key hub for regional disability adjudications. With a bench of 11 judges on record, the office maintains an environment where case outcomes can vary based on the specific evidence you present. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Stockton Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 23% to 82% over their respective careers. The guidance for your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
In the latest reporting period, Trevor Skarda maintained a 69% approval rate, which is 25 points higher than the Stockton office's latest-period average of 44%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
Yes, the data shows a trend of increasing approval rates in recent years. After hovering between 48% and 57% from 2018 to 2022, the rate rose to 69% in the most recent period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Stockton office. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from vocational or medical experts. It is your opportunity to explain how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.