Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Brian Burgtorf maintains a 42% approval rate across 2,492 decisions on record since December 2017. In the most recent reporting period, his 41% approval rate sits 12 percentage points below the 53% office average, 19 points below the 60% state average, and 17 points below the 58% national average. These figures provide a baseline for understanding historical decision-making patterns.
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 Burgtorf'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 trend for Brian Burgtorf has fluctuated since December 2017, moving from 53% in 2018 to 41% in the most recent reporting period. With 2,492 total decisions on record, the data shows a consistent volume of activity. This trend reflects the judge's historical approach to evidence and case requirements.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burgtorf'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 Lansing hearing office
The most recent office on record for Brian Burgtorf is the Lansing hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across Michigan. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 53%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lansing
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lansing office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 37% to 68% on their records.
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
Brian Burgtorf has an approval rate of 42% on record since 2017. This sits within the 37% to 68% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lansing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Brian Burgtorf has shifted over time, starting at 53% in 2018 and settling at 41% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards this judge often requires.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using an automated workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your testimony aligns with the medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Brian Burgtorf's 42% rate provides context, the strength of your medical documentation and your testimony are the primary factors in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
