Approval rates
The approval rate for Kerry J. Anzalone is based on 2,751 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2023. This figure sits within the broader 38% to 85% lifetime approval range observed among the 17 judges who have served at the New Orleans hearing office. By reviewing these historical patterns, you can better understand the environment of your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Anzalone. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Anzalone'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, the approval rate for Kerry J. Anzalone has shown a steady pattern. After maintaining levels near 80% to 81% in the early years of the data window, the rate reached 90% during 2020 and 2021 before returning to 88% in the most recent period. This trend suggests a stable approach to evaluating your evidence and medical documentation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Anzalone'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the New Orleans hearing office
The New Orleans hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Louisiana and the surrounding region. With a bench of 17 judges on record, this office manages a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 49%.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates vary across this bench, ranging from 38% to 85% on a lifetime basis.
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
Kerry J. Anzalone has a lifetime approval rate of 84% across 2,751 decisions. This is at the higher end of the 38% to 85% lifetime approval range seen among the 17 judges who have served at the New Orleans hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Kerry J. Anzalone has remained steady, with yearly figures ranging from 80% to 90% since 2016. This consistency provides a reliable baseline for understanding the judge's historical decision-making pattern. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
While Kerry J. Anzalone has an 84% lifetime approval rate, this is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a favorable outcome in your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your file before your hearing date.