Approval rates
The approval rate for Frederick Michaud is based on 129 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically evaluated claims. When compared to the broader bench at the San Jose office, where approval rates for judges with similar records range from 51% to 78%, this data helps contextualize the hearing process.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Michaud. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Michaud'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 record for Frederick Michaud includes 129 decisions starting in 2016. During this period, the approval rate was 70%. Because this data window is limited to 2016, it reflects a specific period of activity rather than a long-term trend. This pattern provides a point of reference for understanding how claims were handled during the judge's time at the San Jose office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Michaud'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 San Jose hearing office
Frederick Michaud's most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office. This office features a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the San Jose Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office, with individual approval rates ranging from 51% to 78% on their since-2016 records. While these statistics highlight the variance across the bench, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent.
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
Frederick Michaud has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might affect your specific case.
The approval rate for Frederick Michaud was 70% across the 129 decisions on record since 2016. This consistency provides a clear view of past activity. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
A 70% approval rate on record since 2016 indicates how Frederick Michaud has decided past cases, but it is not a prediction for your hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
