Approval rates
The approval rates for Chad Gendreau are calculated based on 3,590 total decisions on record since December 2016. When comparing his latest-period performance to the broader Norfolk hearing office, his approval rate sits 3 percentage points lower than the office average. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided in this jurisdiction.
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 Gendreau'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 December 2016, Chad Gendreau has presided over 3,590 decisions. His yearly approval trend has shown fluctuation, moving from 61% in 2017 to 52% in the partial year of 2026. While his approval rate reached 59% in 2023, it trended to 50% in 2025. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gendreau'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office is the most recent office on record for Chad Gendreau, with his last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench range from 48% to 60% on their records 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
Chad Gendreau has an approval rate of 55% on his record since 2016. This sits within the range of 48% to 60% observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Chad Gendreau has fluctuated over time. While he maintained a 61% approval rate in 2017, his data from 2026 shows a 52% approval rate. An attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might affect your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Chad Gendreau has a 55% approval rate on his record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you review your case and identify the best strategy for your hearing.
