Approval rates
The approval rates for Judith Torres reflect her history of decisions within the San Juan hearing office. When comparing her latest-period approval rate of 78% to the office-wide latest-period rate of 72%, she sits 6 percentage points above the local average. The office-wide lifetime approval-rate range for all judges on record spans from 62% to 88%, placing her record within the expected local variance.
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 Torres'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, Judith Torres has maintained a record of 3,675 lifetime decisions. Her yearly approval trend has shown fluctuations, moving from 95% in 2016 to 78% in 2026. This pattern reflects how she evaluates evidence based on the specific merits of each case. The latest period shows her recent approval rate remaining above the national average of 58%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Torres'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 San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves claimants throughout Puerto Rico, operating as a critical hub for the region. With 11 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains a collective latest-period approval rate of 72%. You can expect a professional environment where evidence quality is the primary driver of the hearing outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The San Juan hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 7 judges currently reporting in the latest SSA data. These judges exhibit a wide range of lifetime approval rates, varying from 62% to 88%.
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
Judith Torres has a lifetime approval rate of 73%, which sits within the office-wide range of 62% to 88%. Her latest-period approval rate of 78% is 6 percentage points higher than the San Juan office average of 72%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Judith Torres has shifted over her 3,675 lifetime decisions since 2016. While she saw an approval rate of 95% in 2016, her more recent performance reached 78% in 2026. These trends are common as case mixes and evidentiary standards evolve, and an attorney can help you prepare for the current climate of her courtroom.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any judge at the San Juan office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert appear before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Judith Torres has a lifetime rate of 73%, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence and strengthen your case before your hearing date.