Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at how Judge Able's approval rates compare to broader benchmarks. With a lifetime record of 18,044 decisions, the data provides a look at past trends. While the judge's latest approval rate is 49%, this sits below the current Alexandria office average of 59% and the national average of 58%. These figures represent historical averages rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Able'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
Over a decade on the bench, Judge Able has maintained a consistent approach to disability claims. The yearly trend shows a pattern where approval rates fluctuate within a narrow band. While the most recent data shows a 49% approval rate, this remains reflective of the judge's long-term decision-making history. These patterns suggest that your case is evaluated based on the specific evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Able'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.
Hearing with Judge Able? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Alexandria hearing office
The Alexandria Hearing Office serves a large population across Virginia and the surrounding region. It is staffed by 6 ALJs who manage a high volume of disability claims annually. The office currently maintains an office-wide approval rate of 59%, reflecting the local administrative environment. You can see the Alexandria Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Alexandria office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 ALJs vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 66%. This variance highlights why understanding the local bench is useful for your preparation. You can find more information on the Alexandria Hearing Office page.
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.