Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at how a judge's record compares to their peers. At the Moreno Valley office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 40% to 72%. John Trunick's 72% lifetime approval rate is based on 509 decisions, providing a clear statistical baseline. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Trunick. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Trunick'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 record for John Trunick spans from 2017 to 2019, covering 509 total decisions. His approval rate has remained steady, with yearly figures of 75%, 70%, and 76% respectively. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed timeframe.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Trunick'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 Moreno Valley hearing office
The Moreno Valley hearing office serves claimants across California and is part of a regional network dedicated to processing disability appeals. With 7 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%. You can visit the Moreno Valley Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 72% over their respective careers. You should prepare for your hearing with the understanding that your assigned judge's individual history is one of many factors in your case.
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
John Trunick's 72% lifetime approval rate sits at the high end of the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges on record at the Moreno Valley office. While this rate is higher than many of your other options, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
John Trunick's approval rate has remained steady, with yearly rates of 75%, 70%, and 76% between 2017 and 2019. This consistency indicates a stable decision-making pattern over the years he has been on record. If you are concerned about how your case will be viewed, an attorney can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you build a robust case regardless of who is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, work history, and symptoms. Because the process can be intimidating, an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. While John Trunick has approved 72% of his 509 lifetime decisions, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you identify the evidence necessary to support your claim.