Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the judge's 56% approval rate covers the entire period since 2016, the latest-period data shows a 60% approval rate, which sits 16 percentage points above the Atlanta North office average of 44%. These figures are based on a significant volume of 4,309 decisions on record, providing a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not 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 Colarusso'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 Todd S. Colarusso has shown fluctuations since 2016, moving from 54% in the initial year to 61% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 4,309 total decisions on record, the data reveals a pattern that has seen both peaks and dips, such as the 47% rate in 2021 and the 64% rate in 2020. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, showing a slight increase compared to the overall average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Colarusso'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 Atlanta North hearing office
The most recent office on record for Todd S. Colarusso is the Atlanta North hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants in Georgia and is part of a region where 24 judges have established records since 2016. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 44%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 6 of them having decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 24% to 94% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 Colarusso has an approval rate of 60% in the latest reporting period, which is 16 percentage points higher than the Atlanta North office average of 44%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Todd S. Colarusso has varied over time, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 61% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since 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 the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
The 56% approval rate on record for Todd S. Colarusso since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
