Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. Barry O'Melinn maintains a 47% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 41% to 89% range of all judges who have served at the Albuquerque hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 47%, compared to the office-wide rate of 49%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 O'Melinn'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 2016, Barry O'Melinn has issued 3,538 decisions. His approval rate has shown a varied trend, moving from 53% in 2016 to 46% in 2026. This fluctuation is common in SSDI hearings as case mixes and evidence standards evolve. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, suggesting that the judge's approach remains consistent with his long-term record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge O'Melinn'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Albuquerque hearing office
The Albuquerque hearing office serves you throughout New Mexico. With 16 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 49%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 16 judges on record at the Albuquerque hearing office, 7 of whom reported data in the latest period. With lifetime approval rates across the office ranging from 41% to 89%, the judge you are assigned can be a significant factor in your hearing process. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Barry O'Melinn has a 47% lifetime approval rate, which falls within the broader office range of 41% to 89%. While he sits within the middle of this spectrum, every case is decided on its own merits. An attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this judge.
Yes, the judge's approval rate has fluctuated over his 3,538 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 53% in 2016, the rate has seen yearly variations, landing at 46% in 2026. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases heard rather than a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you navigate these shifts.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Albuquerque hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Barry O'Melinn's 47% lifetime rate provides context, your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a stronger case to improve your chances of approval.