Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure a fair assessment of a judge's history. While Brian Yamada has an approval rate of 51% across his 887 decisions on record since November 2023, his latest-period approval rate is 48%. This can be measured against the Moreno Valley hearing office's latest-period rate of 54%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the local administrative environment.
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 Yamada'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 November 2023, Brian Yamada has issued 887 decisions. The yearly trend shows an approval rate of 53% in 2024, 53% in 2025, and 48% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. This recent shift reflects the latest period compared to the overall average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Yamada'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 Moreno Valley hearing office
Brian Yamada's most recent office on record is the Moreno Valley hearing office. This office is home to 7 judges who manage disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 54%, providing a point of reference for the local administrative environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Moreno Valley hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 40% to 72% on their records.
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
Brian Yamada's 51% approval rate on record since 2023 sits within the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 53% approval rate in 2024 and 2025 to 48% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. While these numbers reflect past decisions, an attorney can help you understand how to strengthen your evidence to meet the standards of this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Brian Yamada's 51% rate since 2023 is one factor, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical component. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
