Approval rates
The 62% approval rate for Angel X. Viera reflects all decisions on record since September 2016. This can be measured against the 62% to 88% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office during that same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Viera. The most recent period with decisions on record is January 31, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Viera'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 Angel X. Viera has remained relatively steady across the 846 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial 75% rate in 2016, the annual approval rate was 61% in 2017, 62% in 2018, and 62% in 2019, before reaching 70% in 2020. This pattern shows a consistent approach to case evaluation over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Viera'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 San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves you and other claimants across Puerto Rico. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can view the San Juan hearing office page for the full ALJ roster and additional office-level data.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 62% to 88%. Because this assignment process is automated, you cannot request a specific judge for your hearing.
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
Angel X. Viera has an approval rate of 62% on record since 2016. This places the judge at the lower end of the 62% to 88% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Angel X. Viera has been largely consistent, staying near 62% for much of the period between 2017 and 2019. While there was a 75% rate in 2016 and a 70% rate in 2020, these figures are based on smaller volumes of decisions compared to the middle years. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the San Juan hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's historical approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
