Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Thomas G. Henderson compared to the range of other judges who have decided cases at the New Orleans Hearing Office. These figures are based on the total volume of decisions since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Henderson is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Henderson isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Henderson'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
Thomas G. Henderson has issued 3,143 decisions since 2016. The approval rate fluctuated over this period, reaching 47% in 2020, 2021, and 2023, before shifting to 38% in 2024. This record reflects a varied pattern of decisions over the last eight years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Henderson'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 New Orleans hearing office
The New Orleans Hearing Office serves you across Louisiana and the surrounding region. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with the last recorded decision for Thomas G. Henderson occurring in September 2024. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 6 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 38% to 85% on their since-2016 records. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, 6 of whom decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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
Thomas G. Henderson's 43% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 38% to 85% range of the 6 judges who decided cases at the New Orleans Hearing Office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to this specific judge.
The approval rate for Thomas G. Henderson has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 39% in 2016 to 47% in 2023, and most recently 38% in 2024. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case for whichever judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and medical conditions. Having an attorney can help you navigate the process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence and your work history are the primary factors in your case. An attorney can help you evaluate your claim and prepare for the hearing.
