Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. Felicia D. Burkes's 28% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 25% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg. In the latest reporting period, her 29% approval rate differs from the office, state, and national averages. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide a stable statistical picture.
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 Burkes'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 January 2016, Felicia D. Burkes has issued 3,967 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates moving from 13% in 2016 to 29% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. This pattern indicates that while there is year-to-year variance, the approach has remained within a consistent range over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burkes'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 Hattiesburg hearing office
The Hattiesburg Hearing Office is the most recent office on record for Felicia D. Burkes as of July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 50%, the environment is one where evidence quality is critical to a favorable outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg, and 7 of them decided cases there in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary widely, ranging from 25% to 76% 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
Felicia D. Burkes has a 28% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 25% to 76% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
The approval rate for Felicia D. Burkes has fluctuated over the years, starting at 13% in 2016 and reaching 29% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. These trends are based on 3,967 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can review your case to see how these patterns might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a complete and well-documented medical file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney present can help ensure your testimony clearly addresses the specific criteria the judge uses to evaluate disability. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
