Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 40% approval rate for Gerardo Perez reflects his decisions since 2016, which can be measured against the 24% to 54% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie. With 1,411 decisions on record, the data provides a clear look at past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Perez. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Perez'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 Gerardo Perez has fluctuated over the years, starting at 36% in 2016 and reaching 46% in 2017 before settling at 41% in 2020. Across 1,411 decisions on record since 2016, the pattern shows no single linear direction, reflecting a mix of outcomes over time. This variability is common in SSDI dockets and often depends on the specific medical evidence you present in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Perez'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
Gerardo Perez's most recent office on record is the Metairie hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves the surrounding Louisiana region and maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical documentation is the primary factor in the decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 54% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the bench as a whole is helpful.
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
Gerardo Perez has an approval rate of 40% across 1,411 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 24% to 54% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Gerardo Perez has varied, moving from 36% in 2016 to 41% in 2020. These fluctuations are based on 1,411 total decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
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, working with an attorney can help you prepare for any assigned ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Gerardo Perez has a 40% approval rate on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you organize your records to meet the judge's standards.
