Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Rebecca LaRiccia has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016, her latest-period approval rate is 46%. This sits against a broader bench at the Denver hearing office where judge approval rates range from 31% to 75% since 2016. These figures are derived from 3,925 total decisions on record, providing a look at past patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 LaRiccia'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 Rebecca LaRiccia has fluctuated since 2016. After a period of decline between 2019 and 2021, the data shows a return to more moderate levels in recent years. The latest reporting period shows a 46% approval rate, which remains consistent with her long-term average. This pattern suggests that your judge's recent decisions reflect a continuation of her established approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaRiccia'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 Denver hearing office
Rebecca LaRiccia's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, which serves claimants across Colorado and the surrounding region. This office hosts a bench of 22 judges who have recorded decisions since 2016. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 75% 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
Rebecca LaRiccia's latest-period approval rate of 46% is 15 percentage points lower than the Denver hearing office's latest-period average of 61%. Because case assignment is random, working with a qualified attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 46% in 2016 and reaching 46% in the most recent partial fiscal year. While there have been peaks and valleys, such as a 53% rate in 2024, the current rate remains close to her long-term average of 45%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on building a strong, evidence-based case with an attorney is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational or medical experts. The judge's goal is to determine if your condition meets the strict criteria for disability. Having an attorney present can ensure your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly presented.
The 45% approval rate on record for Rebecca LaRiccia represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation and testimony is the primary factor in any outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
