Who decides cases at this office
The 11 ALJs at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 62% to 88% with a median of 73%. This variation means that while the office as a whole is claimant-friendly, the judge you draw can influence the nuances of your hearing. Because assignments are random, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of the specific judge presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel del Valle | 88% | 1,654 | |
| 2 | Yeline Quinones-Regalado | 83% | 3,833 | |
| 3 | Ramon E. Quinones | 82% | 1,198 | |
| 4 | Angel X. Viera-Vargas | 74% | 1,357 | |
| 5 | Judith Torres | 73% | 3,977 | |
| 6 | Gregui J. Mercado | 73% | 1,762 | |
| 7 | Maria E. Quant | 72% | 1,085 | |
| 8 | Luciannette Planas | 67% | 1,250 | |
| 9 | Rosael Gautier | 66% | 3,765 | |
| 10 | Ruy V. Diaz | 65% | 3,275 | |
| 11 | Angel X. Viera | 62% | 982 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At San Juan, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
With an 8-month wait, you have a valuable runway to strengthen your file before your hearing date. Your most critical task is submitting updated medical records that document your limitations since your last denial. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, where an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert will often testify about the types of work you can perform. You can question this expert, making it vital to have a clear, evidence-based log of your daily activities and medication side effects. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail weeks after the proceeding concludes.
Even in an office with a 72% allowance rate, cases often fail because the record does not adequately address the vocational expert's testimony. When a panel's approval rates span 26 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. You can work with an attorney to bridge the gap between your medical history and the specific legal standards the ALJ will use to decide your claim.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at San Juan, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait to reach a hearing at this office is 8 months, which is trending downward and sits below the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing date.
ALJs are assigned randomly to cases at this office. Because the panel's allowance rates vary between 62% and 88%, an attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the panel as a whole.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if there is a conflict of interest, you may be able to request a reassignment through your legal representative. An attorney can help you navigate this process.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is the most complex stage of your SSDI claim. A lawyer can help you prepare your evidence and cross-examine the vocational expert.