Approval rates
Debra M. Underwood's 71% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 26% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland office. These figures are derived from a significant volume of decisions, providing a baseline for understanding past trends. 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 Underwood. 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 Underwood'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 Debra M. Underwood has varied since 2016. After reaching 79% in 2018, the rate fluctuated, settling at 69% in 2025. With 2,487 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent volume of activity over the last nine years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Underwood'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 Oakland hearing office
Debra M. Underwood's most recent SSA record (September 2025) is at the Oakland hearing office. This office serves the California region and maintains a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oakland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland office, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 84% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the tendencies of the bench helps you prepare for your hearing.
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
Debra M. Underwood's 71% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 26% to 84% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oakland office. Because case assignment is random, you may be assigned to any judge on this bench. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated. It reached 79% in 2018 and was 69% in 2025. These variations are common in SSDI dockets and often reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focus on building the strongest possible case with your attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily activities, pain levels, and work history. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Debra M. Underwood has approved 71% of cases on record since 2016, the success of your claim depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare accordingly.
