Approval rates
Comparing a judge's approval rate to their peers provides context on how different adjudicators approach the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process. The 51% approval rate for Debra L. Boudreau is based on 3,182 decisions on record since 2016. When viewed alongside the 21% to 74% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, it becomes clear that the specific judge assigned to your case can influence the outcome. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your specific hearing outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Boudreau. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Boudreau'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
The approval trend for Debra L. Boudreau has fluctuated over the years. Since 2016, the data indicates a varied pattern, with the most recent 2025 data showing a 68% approval rate over 209 decisions. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented. The latest period reflects a departure from the long-term average, suggesting a recent shift in the volume of favorable outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Boudreau'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 Colorado Springs hearing office
Debra L. Boudreau's most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, which serves you and other claimants across the region. This office is part of a larger network of locations that manage the high volume of disability appeals in the state. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you can expect a review of your medical documentation and work history. You can see the Colorado Springs hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Colorado Springs
The Social Security Administration (SSA) utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the broader bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
Debra L. Boudreau has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 74% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Colorado Springs hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. While the rate on record since 2016 is 51%, the yearly data shows variations, such as a 37% rate in 2021 and a 68% rate in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
