Approval rates
Judge Yasutomi currently maintains a 64% approval rate in the latest reporting period, which is 4 points higher than the San Bernardino office average of 63%. Compared to the national average of 58%, his recent decisions show a consistent trend of approval. This data is derived from 4,825 lifetime decisions, providing a stable look at his judicial history. 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 Yasutomi'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, your judge has seen his approval rate shift from 76% in 2023 to 64% in the most recent period. This movement reflects a transition toward a more moderate approval pattern as his docket has grown to 4,825 lifetime decisions. While the rate has declined from his initial year, the current 64% approval rate remains steady and consistent with the broader office environment. This pattern suggests a judge who has settled into a predictable decision-making rhythm.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Yasutomi'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 Yasutomi? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the San Bernardino hearing office
The San Bernardino Hearing Office serves a significant population in California, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a latest office-wide approval rate of 63%, it functions as a critical hub for regional SSDI hearings. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the San Bernardino 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 you cannot choose your judge. At the San Bernardino Hearing Office, the bench consists of 6 judges with lifetime approval rates ranging from 54% to 67%. While approval rates vary across the office, the core requirements for proving disability remain the same. You can find more information on the San Bernardino Hearing Office page.
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.