Who Troy Rosasco Is and What He Does

Troy Rosasco is an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who hears Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases in the federal court system. He is employed by the Social Security Administration's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), which is the appeals division that holds hearings when someone disagrees with an initial SSDI denial.

Rosasco works within the federal ALJ structure, meaning he has the authority to review your case file, hear testimony from you and any witnesses, and issue a written decision that either upholds the initial denial or reverses it and awards benefits. His role is to explore Social Security law and medical evidence to determine whether you meet the agency's definition of disability.

Like all ALJs, Rosasco is bound by the same regulations, case law, and Social Security rulings that govern every other judge in the system. His decisions can be appealed to the Appeals Council if you disagree with the outcome.

Key Takeaways

  • Troy Rosasco is a federal ALJ employed by Social Security's appeals office who decides SSDI cases at the hearing stage.
  • You do not request a specific judge; Social Security assigns judges based on caseload and location, though you can ask to appear by video or in person.
  • His decisions follow the same legal standards as every other ALJ and can be appealed to the Appeals Council if you disagree.
  • You can learn which judge is assigned to your case by checking your hearing notice, which Social Security mails 75 days before your scheduled hearing date.
  • Preparing your medical evidence and testimony is more important than which judge hears your case, since all judges explore the same rules.

How ALJs Are Assigned to Cases

Social Security does not let you choose your judge. Instead, the agency assigns ALJs based on which office has availability and which judge's docket has room for your case. Assignment is largely random and depends on where you live and when your hearing is scheduled.

You will learn which judge is assigned to your case only after Social Security schedules your hearing. The agency mails a hearing notice 75 days before your scheduled date, and that notice includes the judge's name, the hearing location (or confirmation that it will be by video), and the time you are expected to appear.

If you have a strong reason to request a different judge — for example, a documented conflict of interest or a prior ruling by that judge in a related case — you can raise it with your representative or directly with the hearing office. However, such requests are rarely granted and must be made in writing with specific legal grounds.

What to Expect in a Hearing Before an ALJ

An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding, but it is less rigid than a courtroom trial. The judge sits at a table or bench, you sit across from or near them, and a court reporter records everything said. If you have a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate), they sit with you.

The judge will ask you questions about your medical conditions, your work history, your daily activities, and how your conditions limit what you can do. You will testify under oath. The judge may also question a medical informed or vocational informed if Social Security has called one to the hearing.

Your representative, if you have one, can also ask you questions and cross-examine any informed witnesses. The entire hearing usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. After the hearing closes, the judge takes the case under advisement and issues a written decision within a few weeks to a few months.

The Judge's Role in Deciding Your Case

The ALJ's job is to weigh the medical evidence in your file against Social Security's definition of disability. That definition requires that you have a severe medical condition that prevents you from doing any substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

The judge does not decide whether you deserve benefits or whether the system is fair. The judge applies the law to the facts. This means the judge will review your medical records, your testimony, any informed testimony, and your work history to determine whether the evidence shows you meet that legal standard.

All ALJs — including Rosasco — follow the same Social Security rulings, the same regulations, and the same case law. The judge's personal views do not enter the decision. If you believe a judge made a legal error or misapplied the evidence, you can appeal to the Appeals Council.

Approval Rates and What They Mean

Different ALJs have different approval rates — the percentage of cases they award versus deny. This is public information, and some representatives track it when preparing cases. However, approval rates alone do not tell you how a specific judge will rule on your case.

Approval rates reflect the mix of cases a judge hears, the strength of the evidence presented, and how strictly the judge interprets the regulations. A judge with a lower approval rate may hear harder cases, may require stronger medical evidence, or may interpret the rules more narrowly. None of these factors means the judge is unfair or that you should fear the outcome.

What matters most is the strength of your medical evidence and how well you present your case at the hearing. A strong medical record and clear testimony about your limitations will carry more weight than which judge is assigned to you.

Preparing for Your Hearing Regardless of Which Judge You Draw

Once you know your hearing date and judge, focus your energy on preparation rather than worrying about the judge's identity or approval rate. Gather all medical records from the past 12 months, including test results, imaging, treatment notes, and medication lists. If you have not seen a doctor recently, schedule an appointment before the hearing so you have current medical evidence.

Write down a timeline of your medical conditions, when they started, what treatments you have tried, and how they affect your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "I cannot work," write "I can sit for 20 minutes before my back pain forces me to stand" or "I forget conversations within hours due to my cognitive condition."

If you have a representative, give them all your medical records and this timeline at least two weeks before the hearing. If you do not have a representative, consider finding one — a lawyer or accredited representative can significantly improve your chances by organizing evidence and asking the right questions at the hearing.

What to Do If You Disagree With the Judge's Decision

If the ALJ denies your case, you have 60 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council is a separate body within Social Security that reviews whether the ALJ applied the law correctly and whether the decision is supported by the evidence.

You do not get another hearing before the Appeals Council. Instead, you submit written arguments explaining why you believe the judge made an error. If the Appeals Council agrees that an error occurred, they can reverse the decision, remand the case back to the ALJ for a new hearing, or issue their own decision.

If the Appeals Council denies your appeal or does not change the outcome, you can then file a civil lawsuit in federal district court. This is a much longer and more expensive process, and you will almost certainly need a lawyer. However, it is an option if you believe Social Security misapplied the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request Troy Rosasco specifically as my judge?

No. Social Security assigns judges based on caseload and location, not on request. You cannot choose your judge, and requesting a specific judge will not change the assignment. If you have a documented conflict of interest with a judge, you can raise it in writing, but such requests are rarely granted.

What is Troy Rosasco's approval rate?

Approval rates for individual judges are public record and may be available through SSDI advocacy groups or your representative's office. However, approval rates vary based on the types of cases a judge hears and do not predict the outcome of your specific case. Focus on building strong medical evidence instead.

Does it matter which ALJ hears my case?

All ALJs follow the same law and regulations, so the judge's identity matters far less than the strength of your medical evidence and how well you present your case. Preparation and good representation will have a much larger impact on the outcome than which judge is assigned.

How do I learn about Troy Rosasco is assigned to my hearing?

Social Security will mail you a hearing notice 75 days before your scheduled hearing date. That notice includes the judge's name, the hearing location or video confirmation, and your hearing time. Check the notice carefully and share it with your representative if you have one.

Can I appeal if Troy Rosasco denies my case?

Yes. You have 60 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council reviews whether the judge applied the law correctly. If you disagree with the Appeals Council's decision, you can file a civil lawsuit in federal district court, though you will likely need a lawyer for that step.