Who decides cases at this office
The 14 judges at this office show a moderate spread in their decision-making, with individual allowance rates ranging from 48% to 86%. While the median rate of 72% is high, the variation across the panel means that which judge you draw can influence your outcome. Because cases are assigned randomly, you should prepare your evidence to meet the standards of the entire panel rather than relying on a specific judge's tendencies.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel del Valle | 87% | 10,067 | |
| 2 | Yeli Quinones-Regalado | 83% | 21,513 | |
| 3 | Ramon E. Quinones | 82% | 7,934 | |
| 4 | Judith Torres | 73% | 22,458 | |
| 5 | Maria E. Quant | 73% | 3,565 | |
| 6 | Gregui J. Mercado | 73% | 10,903 | |
| 7 | Angel X. Viera-Vargas | 73% | 7,148 | |
| 8 | Luciannette Planas | 68% | 4,122 | |
| 9 | Rosael Gautier | 68% | 20,645 | |
| 10 | Julicel Sepulveda Anavitarte | 66% | 18,102 | |
| 11 | Hortensia Haaversen | 62% | 31,137 | |
| 12 | Gerardo R. Pico | 62% | 18,230 | |
| 13 | Ruy V. Diaz | 61% | 17,991 | |
| 14 | Kimberly O. Wyatt | 47% | 21,970 | |
| 15 | Livia Morales | 43% | 23,186 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At San Juan, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 11 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
With an 11-month wait, you have a significant runway to strengthen your file before you sit down with an ALJ. Your most critical task is gathering medical records that document your limitations since your last denial. You should also prepare a daily-activity log and a list of medication side effects, as these details often inform the vocational expert testimony. Hearings typically last 45 to 60 minutes, during which the judge evaluates whether your health prevents you from performing past work or other jobs. Because evidence submission deadlines are strict, ensure all documentation is filed well before your date. A well-organized file is the best way to leverage this office's high allowance rate.
The 11-month wait between your appeal and your hearing is time you can use to pressure-test your medical evidence against the requirements of the Social Security Administration. Even at an office with a 68% allowance rate, the difference between an approval and a denial often comes down to how well you anticipate the questions of the vocational expert. Evaluating your file early ensures it is ready for the hearing room.
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.