Approval rates
John Trunick's 72% approval rate is measured against the 40% to 72% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. These figures rely on 509 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity. These statistics reflect historical trends rather than a guarantee of your outcome.
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
John Trunick's approval rate has remained steady throughout the period of January 2017 to September 2019. In 2017, the rate was 75% over 141 decisions, followed by 70% over 361 decisions in 2018, and 76% over 95 decisions in 2019. This consistent pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation.
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
John Trunick's most recent office on record is the Moreno Valley hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves the California region. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 72%. While these judges have varying records, the process for presenting your medical evidence remains consistent.
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 has an approval rate of 72% based on 509 decisions on record since 2017. This is at the top of the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for John Trunick has remained steady, moving from 75% in 2017 to 76% in 2019. This consistency indicates a stable decision-making pattern over the years on record. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you understand how your evidence aligns with these trends.
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, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that addresses the requirements of any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
A 72% approval rate on record for John Trunick reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
