Approval rates
The 58% approval rate for H.J. Barkley III covers all 3,973 decisions on record since 2016. This provides a baseline for comparison against the 19% to 66% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tupelo hearing office. Because the SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, you should focus on the strength of your medical evidence rather than the specific judge assigned to your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Barkley III. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Barkley III'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 H.J. Barkley III has trended upward over the last decade. After an approval rate of 54% in 2016, the rate fluctuated before reaching 67% in 2024 and 66% in 2025. These figures are based on the 3,973 decisions on record since 2016, reflecting a shift in outcomes over the course of your judge's time at this office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barkley III'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 Tupelo hearing office
H.J. Barkley III's most recent SSA record (September 2025) is at the Tupelo hearing office in Mississippi. This office hosts a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can view the Tupelo hearing office page to see the full roster of judges who have recorded decisions at this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tupelo
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tupelo hearing office, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 19% to 66% on their since-2016 records. You cannot choose your judge, so you should focus on the evidence in your file.
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
H.J. Barkley III has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 19% to 66% range of approval rates for the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tupelo hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for H.J. Barkley III has trended upward. While the rate was 54% in 2016, it reached 67% in 2024 and 66% in 2025. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
The 58% approval rate for H.J. Barkley III is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
