Approval rates
The approval rate for Manuel del Valle stands at 88% based on 1,318 lifetime decisions. This figure is evaluated against the broader bench at the San Juan hearing office, where lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 62% to 88%. These statistics provide context for the evidentiary standards typically applied in this office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Valle. 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 Valle'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 record for Manuel del Valle spans from 2016 to 2019, during which he issued 1,318 decisions. His yearly approval rate shifted from 94% in 2016 to 81% by 2019. This trend reflects the evolution of his decision-making over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Valle'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.
About the San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves claimants throughout Puerto Rico. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 72%. You can see the San Juan hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. With lifetime approval rates across the bench ranging from 62% to 88%, the specific judge assigned to your case is one of many variables.
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
Manuel del Valle has a lifetime approval rate of 88% across 1,318 decisions. This places him at the higher end of the range for the San Juan office, where judges' lifetime rates vary between 62% and 88%. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary expectations of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 94% approval rate in 2016 to 81% in 2019. While these numbers reflect past decisions, they demonstrate how a judge's patterns can evolve over a multi-year period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your upcoming hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based claim. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.