Approval rates
The 53% approval rate for Julie K. Bruntz reflects her entire record since 2016, which you can evaluate against the 37% to 70% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is West Des Moines. These figures are based on 1,556 decisions on record, providing a window into past outcomes. 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 Bruntz. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bruntz'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 Julie K. Bruntz has shown a shift over the 1,556 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate remained relatively steady between 2016 and 2019, the data shows a lower volume of decisions in 2020. This pattern reflects the historical data window and does not account for changes in your individual case evidence or medical documentation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bruntz'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 West Des Moines hearing office
Julie K. Bruntz's most recent office on record is the West Des Moines hearing office, where she recorded decisions through September 2020. This office serves claimants across Iowa and is part of a broader regional network of SSA hearing locations. The bench at this office consists of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, each contributing to the office's historical approval patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is West Des Moines
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the West Des Moines office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge manages a unique docket, understanding the office-wide bench helps provide context for your hearing.
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
Julie K. Bruntz has an approval rate of 53% on her 1,556 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 37% to 70% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is West Des Moines. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Julie K. Bruntz was 58% in 2016 and moved to 51% by 2019, with a lower volume of 21 decisions recorded in 2020. These fluctuations are based on her 1,556 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational or medical expert will be present to discuss your ability to work. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process and ensure your medical evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Julie K. Bruntz has a 53% approval rate on her 1,556 decisions on record, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
