Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Kerry J. Anzalone based on 2,751 decisions on record since 2016. This figure is compared against the range of the 6 judges who decided cases at the New Orleans office in the most recent SSA file, who range from 38% to 85% on their records since 2016. These statistics provide a broad view of historical outcomes at this office.
Judge Anzalone is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Anzalone isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
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
Kerry J. Anzalone's approval rate has fluctuated across the 2,751 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows higher approval rates between 2020 and 2021, followed by a return to levels consistent with the earlier part of the record. The most recent full year of data from 2023 shows an 88% approval rate.
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.
About the New Orleans hearing office
The New Orleans hearing office serves you if you are in Louisiana and parts of the surrounding region. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with the office's activity reflected in the decisions logged through September 2023. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence of your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The 6 judges who decided cases at the New Orleans office in SSA's latest file range from 38% to 85% on their records since 2016. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, 6 of whom decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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's 84% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the higher end of the range for the 6 judges who decided cases at the New Orleans office in SSA's latest file, who range from 38% to 85%. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The approval rate has varied over time, reaching 90% in 2020 and 2021 before shifting to 88% in 2023. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
