Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Antony Saragas maintains a 50% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period performance shows a 50% approval rate, which aligns exactly with the Lexington office's latest-period average. These figures are drawn from a record of 3,164 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of his historical decision-making. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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
The record for Antony Saragas begins in 2016 and shows a varied yearly trend. After an approval rate of 62% in 2017, the figures fluctuated over the following years before settling into the current 50% rate observed in the most recent reporting period. This pattern reflects the consistent application of SSA standards over 3,164 total decisions. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, showing that the judge's approach remains consistent with his recent historical average.
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 Lexington hearing office serves you throughout Kentucky and the surrounding region. With 18 judges on record, the office maintains a steady volume of disability hearings. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 50%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment. You can see the Lexington Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The Lexington office bench is composed of 18 judges on record since 2016, 10 of whom reported data in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 79% on lifetime records. Preparation guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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 holds a 50% lifetime approval rate, which places him within the broader range of 21% to 79% seen among the 18 judges on record at the Lexington office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Antony Saragas has shifted since 2016. After reaching 62% in 2017, the rate moved through various levels before reaching the current 50% observed in the latest period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards required by any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.