Approval rates
Plauche F. Villere Jr. maintains a 74% approval rate across 5,436 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the range of 39% to 80% observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office. These aggregate rates reflect past decisions rather than specific outcomes for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Villere Jr.. 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 Villere Jr.'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 trend for Plauche F. Villere Jr. has varied since 2016. After initial fluctuations, the approval rate reached 80% in 2020 and 2021. While the rate shifted in subsequent years, the most recent data from 2025 shows an 80% approval rate. This pattern indicates that your outcome depends on the specific evidence presented in your file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Villere Jr.'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 Sacramento hearing office
Plauche F. Villere Jr.'s most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office. This office is home to 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence and testimony remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 39% to 80% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge evaluates evidence uniquely, understanding the broader bench context is helpful for your preparation.
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
Plauche F. Villere Jr. has an approval rate of 74% on record since 2016. This places him within the 39% to 80% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate was 72% in 2016, recent data from 2025 shows an 80% approval rate. Understanding these trends can be part of your case strategy, which an attorney can help you develop.
No, you cannot request a different judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented. An attorney can help you prepare.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your decision will depend primarily on the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
