Approval rates
The approval rate for Ena Weathers is calculated from 1,531 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Los Angeles West hearing office, where the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 40% to 67% in their approval rates. These figures provide a baseline for the office's historical activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Weathers. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Weathers'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 rate for Ena Weathers has fluctuated, beginning at 42% in 2016 and reaching a high of 54% in 2018. Following this, the rate settled into a range between 41% and 45% through 2021. The data window covers 1,531 decisions on record since 2016, providing a view of her historical decision-making patterns.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Weathers'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 Los Angeles West hearing office
The Los Angeles West hearing office serves you if you are in California. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. At the Los Angeles West hearing office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide variance in their approval rates, ranging from 40% to 67% on their records since 2016.
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
Ena Weathers has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 40% to 67% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Ena Weathers has varied over time, starting at 42% in 2016 and peaking at 54% in 2018 before trending toward 41% in 2021. These fluctuations are based on 1,531 decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on preparing a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Ena Weathers has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016, but your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.
