Approval rates
Judge Wheeler has presided over 3,475 lifetime decisions during his 3 years on the bench. His lifetime approval rate of 42% is compared against the latest office average of 63% and the national average of 58%. These metrics provide a high-level view of how this judge has historically handled disability claims. 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 Wheeler'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
Over his 3-year tenure, Judge Wheeler's approval rate moved from 45% in 2016 to 36% in 2018. This shift suggests a change in approval patterns in the most recent reporting period compared to his earlier decisions. While these yearly fluctuations are common, they highlight the importance of presenting a robust medical record. The data reflects a steady pattern of decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wheeler'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.
Hearing with Judge Wheeler? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Los Angeles West hearing office
The Los Angeles West Hearing Office serves a diverse population across California and manages a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges and an office-wide approval rate of 63%, it remains a critical hub for regional SSDI adjudication. You should expect a formal process focused on detailed medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the Los Angeles West Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Judge Wheeler is essentially random. Within the Los Angeles West office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges range from 39% to 66%. This variance underscores that the judge you draw can influence the procedural environment of your hearing. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.