Approval rates
The approval rates for Tracy LaChance are evaluated against the broader bench at the Manchester hearing office to provide context for your hearing. While the judge's overall approval rate since 2016 is 63%, recent data shows a 60% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period performance is 3 percentage points higher than the office average of 57%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable statistical baseline.
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 LaChance'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
Since 2016, Tracy LaChance has maintained a varied approval pattern across 3,021 decisions. The annual approval rate has fluctuated, showing a high of 73% in 2017 and a low of 53% in 2019 and 2022. Recent years have seen an uptick, with 70% approval in 2025 before settling to 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This latest-period rate reflects a slight moderation compared to the previous year, though it remains consistent with the judge's historical range.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaChance'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 Manchester hearing office
The Manchester hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout New Hampshire and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, this office maintains a bench of 11 judges who handle a diverse range of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 57%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Tracy LaChance is essentially random. Within the Manchester hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 86% 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
In the latest reporting period, Tracy LaChance recorded a 60% approval rate, which is 3 percentage points higher than the Manchester office average of 57%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
Yes, the approval rate for Tracy LaChance has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 53% to a high of 73% across the 3,021 decisions on record. While these trends provide historical context, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases via a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney who can help you prepare for the unique tendencies of whoever is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Tracy LaChance has a 63% approval rate since 2016, your individual success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific criteria required for approval.
