Approval rates
The approval rate for Luciannette Planas is based on 1,131 decisions on record since February 2023. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the San Juan office, where judges range from 62% to 88% in their approval rates. In the most recent reporting period, the judge maintained a 66% approval rate, which sits 6 points below the office-wide average of 72%.
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 Planas'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 February 2023, your approval rate for Luciannette Planas has remained steady, with yearly figures of 68%, 70%, 67%, and 66% respectively. This consistent pattern across 1,131 decisions on record reflects a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Planas'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 San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves you in Puerto Rico and is part of the broader SSA regional network. This office includes a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 72%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 62% to 88%.
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
Luciannette Planas has a 67% approval rate since 2023, which falls within the 62% to 88% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Luciannette Planas has remained steady, moving from 68% in 2023 to 66% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This consistency across 1,131 decisions on record provides a stable baseline for your case preparation. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process effectively random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you understand what to expect and how to present your evidence effectively.
The 67% approval rate for Luciannette Planas represents an aggregate of past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your case meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before the hearing.
