Approval rates
Comparing judicial approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Michelle K. Lindsay has an approval rate of 53% across 3,132 decisions on record since 2016, her latest-period approval rate is 52%. This latest figure sits 3 percentage points above the Albuquerque Hearing Office average of 49% and 5 percentage points above the state average of 47%. These metrics provide a baseline for understanding the judicial environment, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than individual outcomes.
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 Lindsay'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 January 2016, Michelle K. Lindsay has presided over 3,132 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, starting at 55% in 2016 and reaching a high of 61% in 2017 and 2018 before shifting in subsequent years. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 52% approval rate, which is a fiscal year-to-date partial figure. This latest period reflects a continuation of the patterns observed in recent years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lindsay'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 Albuquerque hearing office
Michelle K. Lindsay's most recent office on record is the Albuquerque Hearing Office. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 49%, you can expect a rigorous review process where evidence quality is paramount. You can see the Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque Hearing Office, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 41% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Preparation remains 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
Michelle K. Lindsay has an approval rate of 53% on her record since 2016. This places her within the broader range of 41% to 89% observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Michelle K. Lindsay has fluctuated over time, moving from 55% in 2016 to 52% in the most recent partial 2026 data. While these shifts occur, the judge has maintained a consistent pattern of decision-making. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Because the process is complex, an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Michelle K. Lindsay has approved 53% of cases on record since 2016, but every case is decided based on its own unique evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
