Approval rates
In the latest reporting period, your judge approved 69% of cases, which is 10 percentage points higher than the Tampa OHO average of 59%. These figures are based on 2,718 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Ballieu'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
Since January 2016, Robert Ballieu has issued 2,718 decisions. Your judge's approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 49% in 2016 and reaching 69% in the most recent partial year of 2026.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ballieu'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO is the most recent office on record for 16 judges. The office-wide approval rate for the latest reporting period is 59%. You can find more information on the Tampa OHO hearing office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa OHO
There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO. Among these judges, approval rates range from 31% to 90% on their since-2016 records.
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 Ballieu has a 61% approval rate since 2016. This falls within the range of 31% to 90% seen among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted from 49% in 2016 to 69% in the most recent partial year of 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney who is prepared to present your case effectively to any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee for your specific hearing. While Robert Ballieu's 61% rate since 2016 provides context, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
