Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their peers. The 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 26% to 67% on their records since 2016. This variance highlights why understanding the specific bench at your hearing office is important. 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 DeLoach. 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 DeLoach'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 1,401 decisions on record for Rowena E. DeLoach since 2016 show a generally steady approval pattern for the majority of the window. While your approval rate remained consistent between 53% and 54% from 2016 through 2018, the 2019 data shows a lower approval rate of 40% over 127 decisions. This shift in the final year of the record may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. The pattern provides a historical perspective on how cases were decided during this period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge DeLoach'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 Alexandria hearing office
Rowena E. DeLoach's most recent office on record is the Alexandria hearing office, which serves you in Louisiana. This office is part of a broader regional network handling a high volume of disability claims. With 10 judges whose most recent record is at this location, you encounter a variety of judicial approaches. You can see the Alexandria Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 26% to 67%, the specific judge you draw matters. 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
Rowena E. DeLoach has an approval rate of 53% based on 1,401 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 26% to 67% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Rowena E. DeLoach was steady between 53% and 54% from 2016 through 2018. In 2019, the rate was 40% over 127 decisions. Understanding these trends is part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and functional limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before the judge.
