Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While the office bench shows a wide range of outcomes from 32% to 78% on records since 2016, your individual outcome depends on the specific evidence in your file. With 1,237 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Zamora. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Zamora'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 Christa Zamora has shown variation over the years, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 51% in 2017. Following this period, the rate was 48% in 2018 before shifting to 35% in 2019. These figures are based on 1,237 total decisions on record since 2016. This pattern reflects the fluctuations common in administrative law, where changes in case mix or evidence quality can influence annual outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zamora'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 Phoenix hearing office
The Phoenix hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a diverse volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 78% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Judge Zamora has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016. Across the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, approval rates range from 32% to 78%. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local patterns.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated, moving from 47% in 2016 to 51% in 2017, 48% in 2018, and 35% in 2019. These trends are based on 1,237 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical shifts.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 48% approval rate on record for Judge Zamora is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
