Approval rates
To understand how Lawrence T. Ragona compares to his peers, we look at his 35% approval rate on record since 2016 against the 26% to 67% range of the Alexandria bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 44% approval rate sits 11 points below the office average of 55%. These figures are based on a docket of 3,616 decisions, providing a view of his decision-making patterns.
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 Ragona'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, Lawrence T. Ragona has shown a shift in his approval patterns. While his early record saw approval rates in the low 30s, the data shows an upward trend in recent years, reaching 44% in the latest partial fiscal year. This recent performance represents a divergence from his long-term average of 35%. This trend may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality, as the latest period shows a higher rate of favorable outcomes compared to his historical baseline.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ragona'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 Alexandria hearing office
The Alexandria hearing office, which is the most recent office on record for Lawrence T. Ragona as of July 2026, serves claimants across Louisiana. This office operates with a bench of 10 judges who manage a range of disability claims. You can see the Alexandria hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Alexandria hearing office, 7 of whom decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 67% since 2016.
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
Lawrence T. Ragona has an approval rate of 35% since 2016, which sits within the 26% to 67% range of the Alexandria bench. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, his approval rate has trended upward from 30% in 2016 to 44% in the latest partial fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs, ensuring an impartial process for every claimant. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to meet the standards of the Social Security Act.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence, and an attorney can help you ensure your file is complete.
