Approval rates
When reviewing approval data, it is helpful to compare a judge's performance against the broader bench at their office. The 17 judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans show a range of approval rates, spanning from 38% to 85% since 2016. Because the Social Security Administration assigns cases through a randomized workload-balancing algorithm, your specific assignment is not something you can control.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Burgess. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Burgess'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 John R. Burgess has shown variation across the 1,743 decisions on record since January 2016. The rate was 73% in 2016, 70% in 2017, 75% in 2018, 72% in 2019, 79% in 2020, and 85% in 2021. This trend highlights how approval patterns can shift over time based on the specific evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burgess'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 New Orleans hearing office
The New Orleans hearing office has 17 judges with their most recent record at this location. As with all hearing offices, the office-wide approval rate provides a baseline for the local bench. You can expect a formal hearing process where medical evidence and vocational testimony are central to the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to distribute cases, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary, ranging from 38% to 85% on their since-2016 records. This variance underscores the importance of focusing on the merits of your own claim.
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
John R. Burgess has an approval rate of 75% on record since 2016. This sits within the 38% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for John R. Burgess has fluctuated over time, starting at 73% in 2016 and reaching 85% by 2021. These variations are common as case mixes and evidentiary standards evolve. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While the 75% rate for John R. Burgess provides context, your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
