Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The judge's 72% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the performance range of the bench at the Fresno hearing office, where peers range from 36% to 72% over the same period. This comparison provides a clearer view of how your judge's historical decisions align with the broader office environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Young. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Young'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 Duane D. Young has shown fluctuation across the 1,033 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 76% in 2016 and 2017, the rate moved to 66% in 2018, 68% in 2019, and 76% in 2020. This pattern indicates that your judge's decisions have varied over time, which may reflect changes in the types of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Young'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 Fresno hearing office
The Fresno hearing office is the judge's most recent office on record as of September 2020. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can see the Fresno hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fresno
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fresno hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 72% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the range of outcomes at your assigned office is helpful.
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
Duane D. Young has a 72% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the top of the 36% to 72% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is Fresno. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Duane D. Young has fluctuated, starting at 76% in 2016, dipping to 66% in 2018, and returning to 76% in 2020. These variations are common and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your symptoms prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you may face.
The 72% approval rate on record for Duane D. Young reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
