Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. This judge's 58% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 34% to 80% range of the Las Vegas bench. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 59% approval rate compares to the office's 58% rate. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide statistical context. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for 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 Gatto'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 rate for David K. Gatto has shown a notable evolution across the 4,078 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates in the late 2010s, the trend saw a significant rise, peaking in 2024 before moderating in the most recent partial fiscal year. This pattern suggests a dynamic approach to case evaluation. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gatto'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 Las Vegas hearing office
David K. Gatto's most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Nevada and maintains a bench of 10 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 58%, providing a baseline for the region. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Las Vegas
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 3 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file (July 2026). Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 80% on their since-2016 records. 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
Judge Gatto's 58% approval rate on record since 2016 is situated within the 34% to 80% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Las Vegas. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated, moving from 49% in 2016 to a peak of 73% in 2024, before settling at 59% in the most recent partial fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot choose your 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 SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 58% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your individual case depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors you present. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to determine if it meets the requirements for approval.
