Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Foster, Nicolas R.

RICHMONDVirginia Stable

-11.2 pts vs national average

46.5%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge46.5%

RICHMOND46.7%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

361

Fully favorable

136

37.7%

Partially favorable

8.9%

Denials

193

53.5%

Total dispositions

449

Dismissals

19.6%

Awards

168

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 37.7%Partially fav. 8.9%Denied 53.5%

Approval rate history

FY2015

41.9%310 dec

FY2016

46.7%490 dec

FY2017

53.9%401 dec

FY2018

52.1%380 dec

FY2019

47.8%527 dec

FY2020

43.5%393 dec

FY2021

36.5%334 dec

FY2022

51.1%305 dec

FY2023

53.9%260 dec

FY2024

53.2%316 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at RICHMOND (4)

Johnson, Anthony J
276 dec58.7%
Eklund, Eric
304 dec56.6%
Baker, Mark
278 dec55.8%
Knight, Suzette
365 dec15.9%

Judges in Virginia with the most decisions

Koclanes, Peter N
CHARLOTTESVILLE399 dec
Rippel, Brian
CHARLOTTESVILLE374 dec
Gendreau, Chad
NORFOLK343 dec
Scruton, Joseph T
ROANOKE328 dec
Jordan, Jeffrey
NORFOLK327 dec

Next step

Estimate approval odds

See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.