Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 55% approval rate for Robert J. Burbank reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 24% to 60% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Topeka KS. This docket size provides a clear view of past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Burbank. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Burbank'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
Robert J. Burbank decided 1,211 cases between January 2016 and September 2018. His approval rate moved from 57% in 2016 to 55% in 2017 and 51% in 2018. This trend reflects the specific mix of cases and evidence presented during those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burbank'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 Topeka KS hearing office
Robert J. Burbank's most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves the Kansas region and maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 60% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, your preparation remains vital.
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 J. Burbank has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 60% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a trend from 57% in 2016 to 51% in 2018 across 1,211 decisions. While these figures provide context, your case outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. It indicates how a judge has ruled in the past, but your case's success relies on the evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths.
