Approval rates
The approval rate for Benita A. Lobo reflects her historical decision-making record compared to the broader bench at the Metairie hearing office. While the office-wide lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 24% to 54%, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational testimony presented in your case. These figures are based on 857 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lobo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lobo'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
Benita A. Lobo's record, spanning from 2016 to 2019, shows a shift in approval patterns over time. After maintaining approval rates of 45% in 2016 and 41% in 2017, the rate changed to 9% in 2018. This trend highlights the importance of presenting a comprehensive medical file that directly addresses the requirements of your specific impairment.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lobo'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 Metairie hearing office
The Metairie hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, providing a local venue for disability hearings. With 9 judges on record since 2016, the office manages a diverse caseload of SSDI and SSI applications. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can find more information on the Metairie hearing office page.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 24% to 54% on a lifetime basis. You should prepare for your hearing with the understanding that your assigned judge's past performance is only one factor in 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
Benita A. Lobo has a lifetime approval rate of 41% across 857 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 24% to 54% for all judges on record at the Metairie office. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence to the specific expectations of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns between 2016 and 2019. While the rate was 45% in 2016, it moved to 41% in 2017 before declining to 9% in 2018. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you organize your medical records to build the strongest possible case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from vocational or medical experts. It is your opportunity to explain how your impairments prevent you from working. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will likely face during this process.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to meet SSA's definition of disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses before your hearing.