Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Kevin Batik has a 32% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 46%. This latest figure sits 8 points below the Fort Worth office average of 54%. With 3,962 decisions on record, the data provides a look at his decision patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Batik'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 Kevin Batik has shifted over the last decade. After starting at 26% in 2016, the rate fluctuated before trending upward in recent years, reaching 49% in 2025. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date figure of 46% reflects this recent pattern. This shift shows a departure from his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Batik'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 Fort Worth hearing office
The Fort Worth hearing office serves claimants across the region. As of the most recent data through July 2026, this office maintains an office-wide approval rate of 54% for the latest reporting period. You can see the Fort Worth hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. Within the Fort Worth hearing office, there are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench range from 32% to 63% on their records since 2016. You can view the Fort Worth hearing office page for a broader look at the office's performance.
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
Kevin Batik has an approval rate of 32% since 2016, which is at the lower end of the 32% to 63% range observed among the 15 judges at the Fort Worth office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Kevin Batik has trended upward in recent years. While your rate was 26% in 2016, it reached 49% in 2025 and stands at 46% for the partial 2026 period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might influence your hearing strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney to prepare for any judge is the best way to ensure your case is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and often a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Kevin Batik may ask.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Kevin Batik's 32% rate since 2016 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to build the strongest possible case.
