Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While your judge's since-2016 approval rate is 49%, the latest-period approval rate is 51%. This latest figure sits 5 percentage points below the Houston North office average of 56% for the same period. With 4,009 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past activity.
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 Hebert'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 J. Hebert has shown fluctuations since 2016, ranging from a low of 45% to a high of 55% in individual years. The trend has remained relatively steady, with the most recent fiscal year-to-date data showing a 51% approval rate. This latest period aligns closely with the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hebert'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 Houston North hearing office
The most recent office on record for David J. Hebert is the Houston North hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the Texas region and maintains a latest-period approval rate of 56%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston North
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North office, with 9 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 34% to 64% 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
David J. Hebert has an approval rate of 49% on his record since 2016. Among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North office, approval rates range from 34% to 64%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for David J. Hebert has fluctuated between 45% and 55% over the years since 2016. While there is year-to-year variation, the rate has remained relatively steady overall. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you build a stronger case by ensuring your medical records are complete and relevant.
