Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data windows to ensure accuracy. The 46% approval rate for Myriam C. Fernandez Rice reflects a volume of 2,342 decisions on record since 2016. This provides a baseline when compared to the 31% to 61% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Rice. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rice'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 approval trend for Myriam C. Fernandez Rice has fluctuated over the 2,342 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate saw a peak in 2022, the 2023 data shows a return toward the historical average. These shifts often occur due to changes in the complexity of cases or the specific evidence presented during a given period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rice'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 NHC Albuquerque hearing office
Myriam C. Fernandez Rice's most recent SSA record (January 2016 to September 2023) is at the NHC Albuquerque hearing office. This office serves you and other claimants across New Mexico. With a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, you can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical documentation.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Albuquerque
SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 61% on their since-2016 records. Because the specific judge assigned to your case is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence remains the most effective strategy.
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
Myriam C. Fernandez Rice has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 31% to 61% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Myriam C. Fernandez Rice has shown variance over the 2,342 decisions on record since 2016. While yearly percentages have shifted, the judge maintains a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that hearings are distributed randomly. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Myriam C. Fernandez Rice decides each case based on the unique medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
