Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Rosael Gautier's 66% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 62% to 88% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Rosael Gautier's 48% approval rate trailed the office's 72% rate by 24 percentage points.
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 Gautier'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, Rosael Gautier has issued 3,250 decisions. The yearly trend shows a decline in approval rates, moving from 85% in 2016 to 49% in the partial 2026 fiscal year data. These patterns often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gautier'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 San Juan hearing office
Rosael Gautier's most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you across Puerto Rico and operates with a bench of 11 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 72%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench range from 62% to 88% since 2016.
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
Rosael Gautier's 66% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 62% to 88% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office. While this provides context, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a downward trend from an 85% approval rate in 2016 to 49% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Because this trend is based on 3,250 decisions, it is important to discuss your case strategy with an attorney who understands these shifts.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the San Juan hearing office. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
The 66% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses before your hearing.
