Approval rates
The 27% approval rate for John Aletta represents his entire record since 2016. This is compared against the 27% to 74% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford. This docket size provides a stable view of past patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Aletta. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Aletta'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
Since 2016, your approval rate for John Aletta has remained relatively steady following an initial period of adjustment. After an approval rate of 49% in 2016, the figures shifted and have consistently hovered between 23% and 27% in subsequent years. This pattern reflects a stable approach to case evaluation over the course of his 2,187 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Aletta'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 Hartford hearing office
John Aletta's most recent office on record is the Hartford Hearing Office, which serves claimants across Connecticut. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 74%. While the judge assigned to your case is outside your control, the preparation required to present your evidence remains consistent.
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
John Aletta's 27% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the lower end of the 27% to 74% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
The approval rate for John Aletta has held roughly steady since 2018, consistently falling between 23% and 27% annually. While his rate was higher in 2016, the current pattern has been stable for several years. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, and you cannot choose your judge. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge at the Hartford office. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your case to ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA requirements. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
