Approval rates
The 54% approval rate for Theodore Burock reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 17% to 86% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. With 2,089 decisions on record, this data provides a look at past activity, though aggregate rates do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Burock. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Burock'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
Theodore Burock has issued 2,089 decisions on record since 2016. The yearly trend shows approval rates of 62% in 2016, 61% in 2017, 56% in 2018, 51% in 2019, 48% in 2020, 53% in 2021, and 39% in 2022. These figures reflect the evolution of the docket over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burock'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg hearing office is the most recent office on record for 13 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process, though outcomes vary based on the evidence presented in your case. You can visit the Harrisburg hearing office page to view the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 86%. Because each judge manages their own docket, approval rates vary across the office's bench.
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
Theodore Burock has an approval rate of 54% across 2,089 decisions on record since 2016. Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg have approval rates ranging from 17% to 86%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Theodore Burock has shifted over time, starting at 62% in 2016 and reaching 39% in 2022. These fluctuations are common as case types and evidence standards evolve. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 54% approval rate for Theodore Burock is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
