Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. Laura Bach's 67% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 8% to 73% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West. In the most recent reporting period, her 66% approval rate outperformed the office rate of 53%, the state rate of 56%, and the national rate of 58%. These figures provide a statistical baseline, though aggregate rates describe past decisions 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 Bach'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 August 2016, Laura Bach has maintained a record across 3,787 decisions. Her yearly approval rates have fluctuated, showing a peak of 74% in 2024 and a low of 58% in 2018. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows an approval rate of 66% over 429 decisions. This latest period reflects a continuation of a steady pattern, suggesting that the approach remains consistent with the long-term record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bach'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 Houston West hearing office
The Houston West hearing office serves you and other claimants across the Texas region. It is staffed by a bench of 14 judges, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 53%. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the decision. You can see the Houston West Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston West office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench vary significantly, ranging from 8% to 73% on their records since 2016. You can find more information on the Houston West hearing office page.
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
Laura Bach's 67% approval rate since 2016 is on the higher end of the 8% to 73% range seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
Laura Bach's approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with yearly fluctuations between 58% and 74%. The most recent fiscal year-to-date rate of 66% is consistent with the long-term average. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Laura Bach's 67% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and identify potential gaps in your evidence.
