Approval rates
The approval rate for Barry C. LaBoda is based on 1,600 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2020. This figure provides a statistical look at past outcomes within the Orlando Hearing Office. When reviewing these numbers, it is helpful to compare them against the range of other judges who have decided cases at this office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge LaBoda 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 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge LaBoda 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 LaBoda'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
Barry C. LaBoda's record spans 1,600 decisions from 2016 through 2020. During this period, the approval rate remained consistent, starting at 88% in 2016 and reaching 90% by 2020. This data reflects a steady pattern of decisions throughout the time Barry C. LaBoda was on record at the Orlando office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaBoda'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 Orlando hearing office
The Orlando Hearing Office serves you across Florida and the surrounding region. This office has seen 17 judges with records of decisions on file since 2016. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process designed to evaluate the medical and vocational evidence in your file. You can see the Orlando Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
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 at the Orlando Hearing Office. The 8 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 34% to 62% on their since-2016 records. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. 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
Barry C. LaBoda's 89% approval rate on record through 2020 sits above the 34% to 62% range observed among the 8 judges who decided cases at the Orlando office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific case.
The approval rate for Barry C. LaBoda remained steady, moving from 88% in 2016 to 90% in 2020. This consistency is based on 1,600 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your 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 for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. The outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony presented. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
