Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. While your judge's overall rate since 2023 is 57%, the latest-period data shows a 58% approval rate, which sits 2 points above the Valparaiso IN office average of 56%. These figures are derived from a docket of 1,109 decisions on record since 2023. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 LaMarche'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 Dina LaMarche has remained consistent since 2023. Following a 57% approval rate in 2024 and 56% in 2025, the latest fiscal year-to-date data shows a rate of 58%. This trend indicates a stable pattern of decision-making over the 1,109 decisions on record. The recent uptick in the latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaMarche'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 Valparaiso IN hearing office
The most recent office on record for Dina LaMarche is the Valparaiso IN hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 56%, you can expect a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN office, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 42% to 83% 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
Dina LaMarche maintains a 58% approval rate in the latest reporting period, which is 2 points higher than the 56% average for the Valparaiso IN office. While this provides context, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for this judge.
The approval rate for Dina LaMarche has been stable, moving from 57% in 2024 to 58% in the current partial fiscal year. This consistency suggests a steady approach to evaluating disability claims. If you are concerned about your hearing, a free case review can help you understand your position. An attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with a qualified attorney.
The 57% approval rate on record since 2023 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how Dina LaMarche will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
