Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 60% approval rate for Regina Sobrino reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 42% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint. With 3,596 decisions on record, this data provides a stable view of past activity. 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 Sobrino. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sobrino'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 Regina Sobrino has fluctuated over the years, showing a peak of 77% in 2016 and 50% in 2025. Across 3,596 decisions on record since 2016, the yearly trend shows periods of both higher and lower approval, reflecting changes in case mix or evidence quality over time. This variable pattern is common in high-volume disability dockets.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sobrino'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 Flint hearing office
Regina Sobrino's most recent office on record is the Flint Hearing Office, which serves you if you are in Michigan. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and work history. You can see the Flint Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Flint, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary across the bench, understanding the local context is helpful. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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 Sobrino has an approval rate of 60% across 3,596 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Regina Sobrino has varied over time, starting at 77% in 2016 and reaching 50% in 2025. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Regina Sobrino will rule on your specific case. Your individual outcome depends primarily on your medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to see if it meets the necessary criteria.
