Approval rates
Judge Tejada-Rivera maintains a lifetime approval rate of 67% based on 22,584 decisions, a substantial docket that provides a clear view of their decision-making history. When compared to the latest national average of 58% and the Orlando office average of 62%, this judge's recent performance shows a higher frequency of favorable outcomes. These figures are based on extensive data, though aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Tejada-Rivera'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
Over a 10-year tenure, Judge Tejada-Rivera has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability claims. While the approval rate fluctuated between 61% and 72% for several years, the most recent data shows an increase to 80%. This recent shift suggests a potential change in case mix or evidence requirements during the latest reporting period. This trend reflects a departure from the long-term average, highlighting the importance of current evidence in your specific claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tejada-Rivera'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.
Hearing with Judge Tejada-Rivera? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Orlando hearing office
The Orlando Hearing Office serves a large population in Florida, managing a high volume of cases with a bench of 6 judges. The office-wide approval rate currently sits at 62%, reflecting the complex nature of claims processed in this region. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Orlando Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Across the Orlando hearing office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 57% to 67%. While these differences exist, the core requirements for proving your disability remain consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.