Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the judge's overall record since 2016 shows a 66% approval rate, the bench at the Orlando hearing office shows a wide range of outcomes, with individual judge rates varying from 34% to 89%. These figures are based on thousands of decisions, providing a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tejada-Rivera. 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 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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Pedro Tejada-Rivera has shown a generally steady trend with some yearly variance. After starting at 59% in 2016, the rate reached 80% in 2025 based on 187 decisions. With 3,544 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. The recent figures suggest a continuation of this pattern, though yearly fluctuations often occur due to changes in case complexity or the specific evidence presented in your file.
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.
About the Orlando hearing office
The Orlando hearing office serves you and other claimants across central Florida. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 60%. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical documentation you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, and their approval rates vary significantly. This diversity across the bench highlights why focusing on your own medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Pedro Tejada-Rivera has a 66% approval rate on record since 2016. Across the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando, approval rates range from 34% to 89%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Pedro Tejada-Rivera has remained relatively steady over the years, with a record of 3,544 decisions since 2016. While yearly rates have fluctuated—ranging from 59% in 2016 to 80% in 2025—the overall pattern remains consistent. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on building a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will discuss your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions this judge may ask.
