Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Andrew Verne's 38% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a baseline, while the latest-period approval rate of 41% offers a view into more recent activity. These figures are best understood against the broader bench in San Diego, where individual judge approval rates range from 37% to 68% since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Verne'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, your approval rate has fluctuated. After a period of decline between 2019 and 2021, the rate saw an increase in 2022 before stabilizing. The latest period shows an approval rate of 41%, which is higher than the overall average on record. This recent activity reflects a pattern where decisions remain sensitive to the specific evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Verne'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 San Diego hearing office
Andrew Verne's most recent office on record is the San Diego hearing office, which serves claimants across Southern California. This office is home to 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 58%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical and vocational evidence. You can see the San Diego Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Diego
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego office, and 5 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 68% since 2016. Your preparation remains 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
Andrew Verne has an approval rate of 38% on record since 2016. This sits within the 37% to 68% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Diego office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Andrew Verne has varied over time, starting at 40% in 2016 and reaching 41% in the latest period. While these fluctuations occur, they are common in the context of changing case mixes and evidence quality. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses these variables.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney by your side can ensure your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly highlighted.
