Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 44% approval rate for William Barto reflects his total record since 2016, which can be measured against the 20% to 82% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. These figures are derived from 253 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity. 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 Barto. 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 Barto'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 William Barto is based on 253 decisions on record since 2016. During this period, the data shows a consistent pattern of decision-making. Because this record covers a specific window ending in 2016, it provides a snapshot of his activity at the Charlottesville office. This steady pattern suggests that the approach to evaluating evidence remained stable throughout the time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barto'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 Charlottesville hearing office
William Barto's most recent office on record is the Charlottesville hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you if you are in the Virginia region and is part of a broader network of hearing locations. The bench at this office consists of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 20% to 82%. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the entire bench. 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
Judge Barto has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 20% to 82% range of approval rates for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlottesville. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this hearing office.
The data for Judge Barto covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which he maintained a 44% approval rate. Because this record is limited to that timeframe, it reflects a steady pattern of decision-making. If you are concerned about how your evidence will be viewed, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions Judge Barto or any other judge may ask.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Judge Barto approved 44% of cases on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.
