Approval rates
The New Orleans hearing office features a diverse bench with lifetime approval rates ranging from 38% to 85%. Jim Fraiser’s 39% lifetime approval rate sits within this range, reflecting a consistent approach to the evidence presented in his courtroom. His latest-period approval rate of 43% compares to the office-wide latest-period benchmark of 49%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your individual hearing.
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 Fraiser'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 2016, Jim Fraiser has maintained a steady decision pattern, with annual approval rates fluctuating between 34% and 43%. His record shows a consistent volume of cases, totaling 4,332 lifetime decisions that allow for a reliable analysis of his judicial activity. While his latest-period approval rate of 43% shows a slight variation from his lifetime average, the trend remains stable. This pattern suggests a judge who applies consistent standards to the evidence in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fraiser'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 New Orleans hearing office
The New Orleans hearing office serves claimants throughout Louisiana, operating as a critical hub for regional disability adjudications. With 17 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains an active docket and an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 49%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can visit the New Orleans Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The New Orleans hearing office currently uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is selected randomly. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 6 judges reporting activity in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across these peers vary significantly, highlighting the importance of being prepared for any outcome. The guidance for your case remains consistent regardless of which judge is 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
Jim Fraiser has a lifetime approval rate of 39%, which is positioned within the 38% to 85% range of all judges who have served at the New Orleans office since 2016. While his latest-period rate is 6 points lower than the office-wide latest-period average, an attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards Jim Fraiser expects.
Jim Fraiser's approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout his record, which spans from 2016 to 2026. While annual rates have shifted between 34% and 43%, there is no evidence of a dramatic departure from his established decision-making pattern. An attorney can help you understand how these historical trends might relate to the current evidence in your file.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is essential to have an attorney who can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations, work history, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare for this process, ensuring your testimony clearly communicates how your condition prevents you from working.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. Jim Fraiser has issued 4,332 lifetime decisions, providing a clear record of his approach, but your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you step into the hearing room.