Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 56% approval rate for Robert N. Burdette reflects his entire record since 2016, covering 4,283 decisions. In the most recent reporting period, his 66% approval rate stands 13 points above the Houston West office average of 53%.
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 Burdette'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Robert N. Burdette has fluctuated. After starting at 47% in 2016, the rate reached a low of 47% in 2023 before rising to 67% in 2025. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 66% approval rate, a fiscal year-to-date figure.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burdette'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 Houston West hearing office
The Houston West hearing office serves claimants across the region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, this office remains a primary site for disability hearings in Texas. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a distinct bench with varying approval patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston West
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston West office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 8% to 73% based on their records since 2016.
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 N. Burdette has an approval rate of 56% across his 4,283 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 8% to 73% seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston West office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Yes, the approval rate for Robert N. Burdette has fluctuated since 2016. While he recorded a 47% approval rate in 2016, his more recent performance in 2025 and 2026 has been higher, at 67% and 66% respectively. These trends reflect past decisions, and an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your case, hears testimony, and may question vocational or medical experts. Having legal representation can help you organize your medical records and prepare for potential questions from the judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific environment of your hearing.
