Approval rates
The approval rate for a judge is a probability cloud derived from their historical decisions. By comparing the 72% approval rate of Regina L. Sleater against the 51% to 78% range of other judges at the San Jose office, you can see how this judge fits into the broader local bench. These figures are based on 1,447 decisions on record since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sleater. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sleater'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 trend for Regina L. Sleater shows variance across the 1,447 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 68% in 2016, the rate was 67% in 2017, 77% in 2018, 69% in 2019, and 80% in 2020. This pattern indicates that the judge's decision-making has fluctuated over time. These shifts may reflect changes in the complexity of the cases assigned or the quality of evidence presented in those specific years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sleater'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 San Jose hearing office
The San Jose hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as part of the broader SSA network in California. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where the documentation of your impairments is the primary focus of the hearing. You can see the San Jose Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 51% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because every judge has a different approach to evaluating medical evidence, your preparation should focus on the specific requirements of your claim. Guidance 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
Regina L. Sleater has an approval rate of 72% based on 1,447 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. It moved from 68% in 2016 to a high of 80% in 2020, based on 1,447 total decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your claim.
The 72% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how Regina L. Sleater will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses relative to this judge's history.
