Approval rates
The judge's 43% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 31% to 61% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches approach disability claims. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Catanese. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Catanese'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 rate for Louis M. Catanese has shown a downward trend across the 2,133 decisions on record since 2016. Starting at 50% in 2016, the rate declined to 46% in 2017, 43% in 2018, 41% in 2019, 36% in 2020, and 39% in 2021. This pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over the five-year data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Catanese'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 if you are in New Mexico and the surrounding region. This office has a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the decision. You can see the NHC Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 61% on their since-2016 records. Because individual judges have different approaches to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide bench is helpful.
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
Judge Catanese has a 43% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 61% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a decline from 50% in 2016 to 39% in 2021. While these figures represent the judge's past decisions, they do not guarantee the outcome of your specific hearing. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
