Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Wells, Melinda

HUNTINGTON WVWest Virginia Stable

-3.4 pts vs national average

54.3%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge54.3%

HUNTINGTON WV44.7%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

232

Fully favorable

119

51.3%

Partially favorable

3.0%

Denials

106

45.7%

Total dispositions

268

Dismissals

13.4%

Awards

126

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Denied

Fully fav. 51.3%Partially fav. 3.0%Denied 45.7%

Approval rate history

FY2017

53.6%250 dec

FY2018

39.2%436 dec

FY2019

41.0%402 dec

FY2020

32.9%428 dec

FY2021

37.6%324 dec

FY2022

57.7%163 dec

FY2023

57.8%199 dec

FY2024

55.3%246 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at HUNTINGTON WV (3)

Hodges, Maria
472 dec47.7%
Hajjar, Christina
384 dec45.3%
Meade, Jerry
275 dec31.6%

Judges in West Virginia with the most decisions

Crockett, Brian
MORGANTOWN393 dec
Serafin, Francine
CHARLESTON WV378 dec
Milanes, Juan
MORGANTOWN349 dec
LaVicka, Jeffrey
MORGANTOWN342 dec
Preston, Susan
MORGANTOWN256 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.