Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Mary Abbondondelo maintains a 79% approval rate on record since 2016, the bench at the Shreveport office shows a range of 38% to 79% for the same period. In the most recent reporting period, her 87% approval rate stands against the office's 69%, the state's 55%, and the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a docket of 4,100 decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Abbondondelo'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 Mary Abbondondelo has shown a generally rising trend since 2016. Across 4,100 decisions on record, her approval rate reached 87% in the most recent reporting period, which is higher than her long-term average. While the 2026 fiscal year-to-date data remains partial, it reflects a continuation of this recent pattern. This shift may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality presented at hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Abbondondelo'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 Shreveport hearing office
The most recent office on record for Mary Abbondondelo is the Shreveport hearing office, which serves claimants in Louisiana. This office maintains a bench of 6 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a process governed by federal regulations, where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in a favorable decision. You can see the Shreveport hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Shreveport
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 Shreveport office. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 38% to 79% on their records since 2016. 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
Mary Abbondondelo's 79% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the high end of the 38% to 79% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is Shreveport. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has trended upward over the last decade. While the rate was 76% in 2016, it reached 87% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards this judge has applied in recent years.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot influence this assignment, it is vital to have an attorney who can prepare you for any judge on the bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
The 79% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
