Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. Robert Baker maintains a 62% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 32% to 80% range observed across the Johnstown bench. In the most recent reporting period, the 62% approval rate outperformed the office-wide latest-period average of 55% by 7 percentage points. 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 Baker'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 record for Robert Baker includes 13 decisions dating back to 2016. The data shows an approval rate of 62% during the 2026 reporting period. Because the latest-period figures align with the lifetime total, the current trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. This pattern provides a stable baseline for understanding how the judge has historically approached disability claims in the Johnstown office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Baker'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown hearing office serves you throughout the Pennsylvania region. This office maintains a diverse bench of 8 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality and medical documentation remain the primary factors in any decision. You can see the Johnstown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 8 judges on record at this office since 2016, 3 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 80% over their respective careers. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Robert Baker has a lifetime approval rate of 62%, which falls within the 32% to 80% range seen across the Johnstown office. While this rate is higher than the office's latest-period average of 55%, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence in your file. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific standards of this hearing office.
The data for Robert Baker shows a 62% approval rate based on 13 decisions in 2026. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making during the current reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the Johnstown office. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge on the bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and daily limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Robert Baker's 62% lifetime rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.