Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. The 41% approval rate for Lawrence D. Wheeler covers all decisions on record since 2016, providing a stable view of past activity. This figure sits within the 40% to 67% range observed among the bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West. These aggregate rates reflect historical patterns rather than specific outcomes for your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wheeler. 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 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
The 538 decisions on record for Lawrence D. Wheeler since 2016 show a decline in approval rates over time. The rate stood at 43% in 2016, shifted to 39% in 2017, and reached 36% in 2018. This pattern reflects the judge's activity during the recorded period at the Los Angeles West office. Such trends are often influenced by changes in the types of cases heard or the specific evidence presented in those matters.
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.
About the Los Angeles West hearing office
Lawrence D. Wheeler's most recent office on record is the Los Angeles West hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and work history. You can view the Los Angeles West Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Los Angeles West, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 40% to 67%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Lawrence D. Wheeler has a 41% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 40% to 67% range seen 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 Lawrence D. Wheeler showed a downward trend during the recorded period, moving from 43% in 2016 to 36% in 2018. Understanding these patterns is part of building a strong case strategy. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your hearing preparation.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively for any judge.
