Approval rates
The approval rate for Sheila Walters is 23% based on 862 lifetime decisions. Within the Stockton hearing office, the lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 23% to 82%. These figures provide context regarding the variation in decision-making across the local bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Walters. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Walters'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 record for Sheila Walters shows a downward trend over the 2016 to 2018 data window. Starting at 29% in 2016, the rate moved to 23% in 2017 and 18% in 2018. This pattern indicates a consistent shift in outcomes over the observed period. Such trends often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Walters'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 Stockton hearing office
The Stockton hearing office serves you throughout the California region. With 11 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload of disability claims. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You can see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/stockton-CA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Sheila Walters is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates among these peers vary significantly, ranging from 23% to 82%.
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
Sheila Walters has a lifetime approval rate of 23%, which sits at the lower end of the 23% to 82% range observed among the 11 judges on record at the Stockton office. An attorney can help you understand how to build a stronger case regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the data shows a decline in approval rates from 29% in 2016 to 18% in 2018. Understanding these trends is part of preparing for your hearing, and an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence in light of this history.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.