Approval rates
The approval rate for Roy E. LaRoche Jr. is calculated from 3,116 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how past rulings compare to the broader bench at the Oak Park hearing office, where peers range from 36% to 83% approval on their own since-2016 records. Because the SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, your specific assignment is random. These aggregate rates reflect historical data rather than a guarantee of your outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge LaRoche Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge LaRoche Jr.'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, the approval rate for Roy E. LaRoche Jr. has fluctuated across 3,116 decisions on record. After starting at 30% in 2016, the annual approval rate reached a peak of 46% in 2023 before settling at 40% in 2025. This trend indicates that while the rate has varied year-over-year, it has remained within a consistent range throughout the observation period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge LaRoche Jr.'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 Oak Park hearing office
The Oak Park hearing office serves you and other claimants across Michigan and the surrounding region. With 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, it manages a significant volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical evidence presented in your case file. You can view the Oak Park hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, with an approval-rate range of 36% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Nine of these judges decided cases here in the SSA's latest file. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Roy E. LaRoche Jr. has an approval rate of 36% across his 3,116 decisions on record since 2016. This places him at the lower end of the 36% to 83% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Roy E. LaRoche Jr. has varied over time, starting at 30% in 2016 and reaching 40% by 2025. While the rate has fluctuated, it has remained within a stable range throughout his 3,116 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your medical conditions, work history, and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
The 36% approval rate for Roy E. LaRoche Jr. is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a disability hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
