Approval rates
The approval rates for Julian Cosentino reflect a record of 776 lifetime decisions. When compared to the broader Creve Coeur bench, which sees lifetime approval rates ranging from 39% to 84%, this judge's record provides a clear view of past activity. These figures are derived from SSA data to offer transparency into the hearing process. 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
Since the record window opened in 2016, the approval rate for Julian Cosentino has remained consistently high. After a 78% approval rate in 2016, the figures were 82% in 2017 and 81% in 2018. This trend indicates a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed period. The data reflects a consistent application of SSDI standards.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Julian Cosentino or any other judge is essentially random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates spanning from 39% to 84%. Because of this variance, knowing the tendencies of the office bench is helpful for your preparation.
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 maintains an 81% lifetime approval rate, which is at the higher end of the 39% to 84% range observed among the 7 judges at the Creve Coeur office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with the standards of this specific bench.
The approval rate for Julian Cosentino has remained steady, moving from 78% in 2016 to 81% in 2018. This consistency suggests a stable decision-making pattern over the 776 lifetime decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Creve Coeur office. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney can help you prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you might face.
An 81% lifetime approval rate indicates how Julian Cosentino has ruled in past cases, but it is not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique and depends on the specific evidence provided. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.