Approval rates
The approval rate for Patricia A. Bucci is calculated from 2,945 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing this to the bench at the Phoenix North hearing office, where approval rates for judges range from 28% to 72%, you can see how her record fits within the local context. Latest-period data shows the judge's approval rate at 34%, compared to the office rate of 60%, the state rate of 65%, and the national rate of 58%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific 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 Bucci'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 Patricia A. Bucci has remained relatively steady, with a notable variance in 2023 when the rate reached 46%. Following that period, the rate returned to 35% in 2025 and stands at 34% for the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 2,945 total decisions on record, the data provides a consistent look at how cases have been handled over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bucci'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 Phoenix North hearing office
The Phoenix North hearing office serves you and other claimants across Arizona. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which maintains an office-wide approval rate of 60% in the latest reporting period. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 72% on their records since 2016. You can find more information on the Phoenix North 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
Patricia A. Bucci has a 36% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 28% to 72% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Patricia A. Bucci has held relatively steady, with a 36% rate since 2016 and a 34% rate in the most recent reporting period. While yearly fluctuations occur, the overall pattern remains consistent. An attorney can help you navigate these trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, and you cannot choose your judge. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 36% approval rate for Patricia A. Bucci reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence and vocational testimony in your file; an attorney can help you strengthen these areas.
