Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Roy LaRoche has an approval rate of 40% across his record since 2026, it is helpful to view this against the broader bench at the Oak Park hearing office, where judges range from 36% to 83%. Latest-period data shows the judge's rate at 40%, compared to the office rate of 66%, the state rate of 60%, and the national rate of 58%. These figures reflect recent trends rather than long-term averages.
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 LaRoche'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 data for Roy LaRoche covers 373 decisions on record since 2026. During the 2026 fiscal year to date, the approval rate has held at 40%. This figure is based on a partial year of data, which provides a snapshot of recent activity. Because these patterns can shift based on the specific evidence and medical documentation presented in each case, 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 LaRoche'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 is the most recent office on record for Roy LaRoche, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across Michigan and is part of a regional network of hearing offices. With 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 66%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, 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, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 36% to 83%.
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 LaRoche has an approval rate of 40% on his record since 2026. This sits within the range of 36% to 83% seen 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 this bench.
The approval rate for Roy LaRoche has remained steady at 40% during the 2026 fiscal year to date. Because this data represents a partial year, it is important to focus on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the standards this judge typically applies.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Oak Park hearing office. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare your case for a hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your ability to function. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Roy LaRoche's 40% rate since 2026 is one factor, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important element of your claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare accordingly.
