Approval rates
The approval rate for Antony Saragas is based on 3,164 decisions on record since December 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, approval rates range from 21% to 79%. Latest-period data shows his approval rate is 50%, which is equal to the Lexington office average, 1 percentage point lower than the state, and 8 percentage points lower than the national average. These figures reflect past trends rather than future outcomes.
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 Saragas'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 December 2016, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated, moving from 62% in 2017 to 44% in 2023, before reaching 50% in the most recent fiscal year to date. With 3,164 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects shifts in case outcomes over the last decade. The latest-period rate of 50% aligns with his long-term average on record, indicating a consistent approach to evaluating evidence in recent years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Saragas'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 Lexington hearing office
The most recent office on record for Antony Saragas is the Lexington hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Kentucky. With 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 50%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lexington
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 21% to 79% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains essential 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
Antony Saragas has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lexington hearing office, approval rates range from 21% to 79%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this specific judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Antony Saragas has fluctuated over time. It began at 62% in 2017 and reached 50% in the most recent fiscal year to date. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
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, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Antony Saragas has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
