Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. The 73% approval rate for O. Lisa Dabreu is based on 201 decisions on record since January 2016. This figure sits within the range of 23% to 86% observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. These aggregate rates reflect past decisions rather than specific outcomes for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dabreu. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dabreu'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 O. Lisa Dabreu shows a shift over the recorded window of January 2016 through September 2019. Starting at 50% in 2016, the approval rate rose to 56% in 2017 before reaching 75% in both 2018 and 2019. With 201 total decisions on record, this upward trend indicates a consistent pattern in the latter half of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dabreu'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 Downtown hearing office
The Atlanta Downtown hearing office serves you and other claimants across Georgia and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2019, this office has been a hub for 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can view the Atlanta Downtown hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. These judges show a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 23% to 86% on their since-2016 records.
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
O. Lisa Dabreu has an approval rate of 73% based on 201 decisions on record since January 2016. This places the judge within the 23% to 86% range seen among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for O. Lisa Dabreu rose from 50% in 2016 to 75% by 2019. This trend is based on 201 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns 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 assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might be assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While O. Lisa Dabreu has a 73% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
