Approval rates
The 59% approval rate for Joanne E. Dantonio reflects her total decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 30% to 78% range of the 17 other judges whose most recent office on record is also Tacoma. This range provides context for how her decisions align with the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dantonio. 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 Dantonio'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
Joanne E. Dantonio has a record of 1,427 decisions starting in January 2016. Her annual approval rate has fluctuated, showing 62% in 2016, 62% in 2017, 53% in 2018, 56% in 2019, 67% in 2020, and 48% in 2021.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dantonio'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 Tacoma hearing office
Joanne E. Dantonio's most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, which serves the Washington region. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Tacoma Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma office, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78%. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your own medical evidence.
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
Joanne E. Dantonio has an approval rate of 59% on her record since 2016. This sits within the 30% to 78% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of the judge assigned.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over the years, moving from 62% in 2016 to 48% in 2021. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing the evidence required for your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on a strong, evidence-based application is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
