Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, compare figures from the same time period. The 47% approval rate for Cole Gerstner reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 41% to 89% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gerstner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gerstner'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 Cole Gerstner has shown variation across the 1,959 decisions on record since 2016. After an 83% approval rate in 2016, the rate shifted to 54% in 2017, 43% in 2018, 43% in 2019, 50% in 2020, and 50% in 2021. This trend indicates a shift in decision outcomes over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gerstner'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 Albuquerque hearing office
Cole Gerstner's most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office, which serves you across New Mexico. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a consistent process for evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony. See the Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 89%. Five of these judges decided cases here in the SSA's latest file from July 2026. 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
Cole Gerstner has an approval rate of 47% on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 89% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Cole Gerstner has fluctuated since 2016. While the rate was 83% in 2016, it settled into a more consistent pattern of 50% during 2020 and 2021. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing these trends in the context of your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for this process by ensuring your medical documentation is complete and your testimony is clear.
The 47% approval rate for Cole Gerstner is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
