Approval rates
Comparing approval rates provides context for how different judges evaluate evidence. Maria Nunez has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond. These figures are based on 1,096 decisions on record. 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 Nunez. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nunez'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 approval rate for Maria Nunez has fluctuated across the 1,096 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate remained relatively steady for several years, the trend has shown volatility in more recent periods, including a 20% rate in 2023 and a 75% rate in 2024. These shifts often reflect changes in the specific mix of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nunez'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 Richmond hearing office
Maria Nunez's most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. This office serves you and other claimants across Virginia. With a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse volume of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 18% to 59%. Because assignment is outside of your control, the best approach is to focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Maria Nunez has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This falls within the 18% to 59% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Maria Nunez has shown variation across the 1,096 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was steady for several years, recent data shows significant fluctuations, including a 20% rate in 2023 and a 75% rate in 2024. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Maria Nunez has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to present your strongest case.
