Approval rates
We evaluate Christine Hilleren's 41% approval rate against the broader bench at the New Orleans hearing office, where peers range from 38% to 85% on their records since 2016. This comparison provides context for how different judges evaluate evidence. 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 Hilleren. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hilleren'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 Christine Hilleren showed variation across the 1,096 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 40% in 2016, the figures shifted to 43% in 2017 and 41% in 2018, before moving to 36% in 2019. These fluctuations are common in administrative law and often depend on the specific medical evidence presented in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hilleren'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. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the New Orleans hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 38% to 85% on their since-2016 records. 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
Christine Hilleren has an approval rate of 41% based on 1,096 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 38% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the New Orleans hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Christine Hilleren has fluctuated over the years, starting at 40% in 2016 and reaching 36% by 2019. These shifts are often tied to changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence provided. A qualified attorney can help you build a case that addresses these variables.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
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 regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions 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. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
