Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods. Julian Cosentino's 81% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 39% to 84% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Creve Coeur. These figures are based on 776 decisions on record, providing a look at past outcomes. 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 Cosentino. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cosentino'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 Julian Cosentino has remained steady throughout the data window starting in 2016. After an initial 78% approval rate in 2016, the figures rose to 82% in 2017 and were 81% in 2018 across 776 total decisions on record. This consistency suggests a stable decision-making pattern over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cosentino'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.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Creve Coeur
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Creve Coeur, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 39% to 84% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the local 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
Julian Cosentino's 81% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the higher end of the 39% to 84% range seen among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Creve Coeur. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Julian Cosentino has remained steady, moving from 78% in 2016 to 81% in 2018. This consistency across 776 decisions on record suggests a stable pattern. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 81% approval rate on record since 2016 for Julian Cosentino reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case before you appear before the judge.
