Approval rates
The approval rates for Barbara J. Zanotti reflect a consistent volume of cases handled at the Tampa OHO. When comparing her performance to the broader bench, note that the office-wide lifetime approval-rate range spans from 31% to 90%. These figures are based on a substantial docket of 3,434 lifetime decisions. 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 Zanotti'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 Barbara J. Zanotti has shown a gradual upward trend, moving from 41% in her early recorded years to a more recent period rate of 62%. This shift reflects a period of steady activity across 3,434 lifetime decisions. While the latest period shows a slight variance from the lifetime average, the overall pattern suggests a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zanotti'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO serves you across the Florida region, managing a diverse caseload with a bench of 16 judges on record. The office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 59%, which provides a baseline for the local hearing environment. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. For more information, see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Tampa OHO utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% over their respective lifetimes. You can find more information on the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page.
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
Judge Zanotti maintains a lifetime approval rate of 57% across 3,434 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide range of 31% to 90% for the 16 judges on record at the Tampa OHO. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Zanotti has evolved since 2016. After starting at 41% in 2016, her annual approval rates have trended upward, reaching 62% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random and impartial. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Judge Zanotti's 57% lifetime rate is one data point among many, including your medical records and vocational history. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific requirements of your disability claim.