Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 44% approval rate for Richard M. Exnicios reflects his entire record since 2016, while his latest-period performance is compared against the broader Metairie office, state, and national benchmarks. With 3,427 total decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of his past decision-making patterns.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Exnicios'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
Since May 2016, Richard M. Exnicios has maintained a varied approval trend. After starting at 38% in 2016, the rate fluctuated before reaching 57% in 2025. The latest period shows a rate of 50%, which sits 4 points below the Metairie office's latest-period rate of 54%. This recent shift reflects his established pattern of adjusting to the specific evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Exnicios'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 Metairie hearing office
The Metairie hearing office serves claimants across Louisiana. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%, providing a baseline for the region.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench range from 24% to 54% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains 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
Richard M. Exnicios has an approval rate of 44% on record since 2016, while the bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one ranges from 24% to 54%. An attorney can help you understand how these differences might impact your specific case strategy.
Yes, his approval rate has fluctuated over time, moving from 38% in 2016 to 57% in 2025 before settling at 50% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you prepare evidence that addresses the specific requirements this judge has prioritized in recent years.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Richard M. Exnicios will rule on your specific claim. The strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your hearing outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your evidence.
