Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 34% approval rate for Robert L. Bartelt Jr. reflects his decisions on record since 2016, which can be viewed alongside the 27% to 56% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee. These figures provide context based on a docket of 104 decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bartelt Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bartelt Jr.'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 Robert L. Bartelt Jr. is based on 104 decisions on record since January 2016. Because the record window for this judge concludes in September 2016, the trend reflects the activity captured within that specific timeframe. This pattern provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically approached cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bartelt Jr.'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 Milwaukee hearing office
Robert L. Bartelt Jr.'s most recent office on record is the Milwaukee hearing office. This office is home to 13 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical evidence you provide.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 56% on their since-2016 records. While rates vary across this bench, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent.
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 L. Bartelt Jr. has an approval rate of 34% based on 104 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 27% to 56% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this bench.
The data for Robert L. Bartelt Jr. covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which he maintained a 34% approval rate across 104 decisions. Because the record is limited to this window, the rate reflects that specific timeframe. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy regardless of historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
