Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 54% approval rate for John W. Rolph is based on 2,965 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 31% to 61% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, this figure helps establish a baseline for the office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Rolph. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rolph'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 John W. Rolph has fluctuated since 2016. After an initial period of higher approval rates in 2016 and 2017, the volume of decisions increased significantly in 2018 and 2019, during which the approval rate trended downward. Following a period of relative stability between 2020 and 2022, the data shows a recent uptick in approvals.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rolph'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 NHC Albuquerque hearing office
John W. Rolph's most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, which serves you across New Mexico. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 31% to 61% on their respective records 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
John W. Rolph has an approval rate of 54% based on 2,965 decisions since 2016. This places the judge within the 31% to 61% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific case strategy.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 2,965 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was higher in 2016 and 2017, it saw a decline in 2018 and 2019 before stabilizing and experiencing a recent uptick in 2024. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and past work experience. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and your medical evidence is properly presented.
The 54% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
