Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent data sets. Michael Carr has a lifetime approval rate of 31% across 2,030 decisions, which sits within the 31% to 60% lifetime range of the NHC Albuquerque bench. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 100%, which compares to the state rate of 47% and the national rate of 58% for the same period.
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 Carr'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 record for Michael Carr spans 2,030 decisions starting in 2016. His approval rate has fluctuated over the years. While the lifetime average is 31%, the most recent data shows a 100% approval rate over a small sample of 6 decisions. This recent activity diverges from his long-term trend, though the overall pattern reflects the complexities of varying case mixes and evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Carr'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 NHC Albuquerque hearing office
The NHC Albuquerque hearing office serves you throughout New Mexico and the surrounding region. The office maintains a bench of 8 judges who handle a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision. You can see the NHC Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016, 2 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 60% over their respective careers.
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
Michael Carr has a lifetime approval rate of 31%, which sits at the lower end of the 31% to 60% range observed among the 8 judges on record at the NHC Albuquerque office. Because every judge has a different approach to evaluating evidence, having an attorney who understands these local patterns can help you prepare your case.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael Carr has varied since 2016. While his lifetime rate is 31%, his yearly performance has shifted, including a 100% approval rate in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the specific evidence in your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is 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 testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and ensure your medical records are complete.