Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Manuel del Valle based on 1,318 decisions on record since 2016. These figures provide a statistical view of past activity rather than a guarantee of future results. The data reflects a significant volume of cases, offering a clear look at the judge's historical decision-making patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Valle is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Valle isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
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
Manuel del Valle decided 1,318 cases between 2016 and 2019. The approval rate began at 94% in 2016 and moved to 81% by 2019. This data shows a declining trend over the period on record. The yearly figures reflect the volume of decisions finalized during each specific timeframe.
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.
About the San Juan hearing office
The San Juan Hearing Office serves you in Puerto Rico and is part of the broader SSA regional structure. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where your evidence is reviewed against federal disability criteria. See the San Juan Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 8 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 65% to 83% on their since-2016 records. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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's 88% approval rate on record since 2016 sits above the 65% to 83% range seen among the 8 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific case.
Yes, the data shows a decline from 94% in 2016 to 81% in 2019. Understanding these historical trends is part of preparing for your hearing, and an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present the strongest possible case.
