Approval rates
The 58% approval rate for Barbara Artuso reflects performance across 432 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 32% to 80% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Artuso. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Artuso'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 rate for Barbara Artuso shows a steady pattern across the 432 decisions on record since January 2016. In 2016, the approval rate was 59% over 369 decisions, followed by 56% over 121 decisions in 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during the period for which data is available.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Artuso'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 Johnstown hearing office
Barbara Artuso's most recent office on record is the Johnstown hearing office, which serves claimants in Pennsylvania. With a bench of 8 judges whose most recent record is at this location, you can expect a standard administrative process. You can view the Johnstown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 80% on their since-2016 records. Regardless of which judge is assigned to your case, your preparation remains the same.
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
Barbara Artuso has an approval rate of 58% across 432 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 32% to 80% range of the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Barbara Artuso has remained steady, moving from 59% in 2016 to 56% in 2017. This consistency is based on 432 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these past trends might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you review your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your impairments prevent you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 58% approval rate for Barbara Artuso is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you assess the strengths of your case and prepare for the hearing.
