Approval rates
Judge Hertzig has presided over 20,075 lifetime decisions. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 64%, which is 12 points below the current Metairie office average of 57%. Comparing these figures to the national average of 58% provides context for your upcoming hearing. These rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your individual case.
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 Hertzig'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
Over a decade on the bench, Judge Hertzig's approval patterns have shown variation. After starting with a 48% approval rate in 2016, the data shows periods of decline and recovery, with a recent rate of 61% in 2025. This volatility suggests that case mix and the quality of medical evidence play a substantial role in outcomes. The latest period reflects a departure from his long-term average, highlighting the importance of a well-documented case file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hertzig'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.
Hearing with Judge Hertzig? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Metairie hearing office
The Metairie Hearing Office manages a high volume of disability claims across Louisiana. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an average approval rate of 57% in the latest reporting period. You should expect a formal process where medical documentation is the primary driver of your success. You can visit the Metairie Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Hertzig is essentially random. Across the Metairie bench, lifetime approval rates for the 6 judges range from 43% to 62%. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to focus on the elements of your claim that you can control. The guidance for your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.