Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 58% approval rate covers the entire record since 2016, the latest-period data provides a snapshot of recent activity. In the most recent reporting period, the judge approved 60% of cases, which is 3 percentage points higher than the Nashville office average of 57%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable statistical baseline.
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 Pietrangelo'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 Angele Pietrangelo has shown variation across the 4,041 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 49% in 2016, the rate experienced fluctuations before reaching 60% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. The latest-period approval rate of 60% remains consistent with the long-term average. This trend suggests a steady approach to case evaluation, with recent outcomes reflecting a continuation of established patterns.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pietrangelo'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 Nashville hearing office
Angele Pietrangelo's most recent office on record is the Nashville hearing office, which serves claimants across Tennessee. This office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 57%, compared to the national average of 58%. You can expect a standard hearing process where your evidence quality and medical documentation remain the primary factors in your decision. You can visit the Nashville hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Nashville
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Nashville office. Approval rates among these peers range from 47% to 75% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
In the latest reporting period, Judge Pietrangelo approved 60% of cases, which is 3 percentage points higher than the Nashville office average of 57%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 49% in 2016 to a high of 65% in 2023. The most recent rate of 60% is consistent with the long-term average of 58%. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Judge Pietrangelo has a 58% approval rate since 2016, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you prepare your case to ensure all relevant factors are clearly documented.
