Approval rates
The approval rates for Richard J. Ortiz-Valero reflect a significant volume of cases, providing a stable statistical foundation for review. When compared to the Ft Lauderdale office-wide lifetime range of 21% to 87%, his record sits well within the local bench's variance. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate reached 64%, which is 13 percentage points higher than the office average of 51%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Ortiz-Valero'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, the approval pattern for Richard J. Ortiz-Valero has shown fluctuations, ranging from a low of 48% in 2018 to a high of 64% in 2026. Across his 3,799 lifetime decisions, the trend moved from an initial 63% in 2016 toward a varied mid-range before the recent uptick. This latest period reflects a departure from his long-term average, which may indicate shifts in the types of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ortiz-Valero'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 Ft Lauderdale hearing office
The Ft Lauderdale hearing office serves you across the Florida region, managing a high volume of disability cases. With 19 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a rigorous review process where your medical documentation is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Ft Lauderdale Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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. At the Ft Lauderdale office, there are 19 judges on record since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. These judges exhibit a wide range of approval outcomes, spanning from 21% to 87% over their respective careers. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Richard J. Ortiz-Valero holds a 57% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 21% to 87% range seen across the 19 judges on record at the Ft Lauderdale office. In the latest reporting period, his 64% approval rate is 13 percentage points higher than the office average of 51%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate for Richard J. Ortiz-Valero has shifted since 2016. After starting at 63% in 2016, his annual approval rate saw a low of 48% in 2018 before trending upward to 64% in 2026. These annual variations are common, and an attorney can help you prepare for the current climate of his courtroom.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Because you cannot select your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge gathers facts to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatment. An attorney can help you prepare for this process by ensuring your testimony is clear and your medical records are complete.
A judge's approval rate is a historical reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Richard J. Ortiz-Valero has a 57% lifetime approval rate, every case is unique and depends heavily on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare your evidence for the hearing.