Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for James A. Burke based on his record since 2016. These figures represent the total number of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) decisions finalized during that period. Because this data reflects a large volume of cases, it provides a statistical look at past outcomes.
Judge Burke is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Burke isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Burke'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
James A. Burke decided 2,464 cases between 2016 and 2020. His approval rate remained consistent throughout this period, starting at 89% in 2016 and reaching 92% in 2020. The yearly trend shows a steady pattern of approvals across his time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burke'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 Albuquerque hearing office
The Albuquerque Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across New Mexico and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 5 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 41% to 54% on their records since 2016. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
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
James A. Burke's 89% approval rate on record since 2016 sits above the range of 41% to 54% observed among the 5 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how these differences might relate to your specific case.
James A. Burke's approval rate has remained steady, moving from 89% in 2016 to 92% in 2020. This consistency is based on his 2,464 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No. The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case for any judge assigned to your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. The outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you present. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for the hearing.
