Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Michael D. Burrichter has a 37% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 44%. This latest figure aligns with the Topeka KS office average of 44%, while sitting 5 percentage points below the Kansas state average of 49% and 14 points below the national average of 58%. These figures are based on 3,607 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Burrichter'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, Michael D. Burrichter has issued 3,607 decisions. Yearly approval rates have fluctuated between 31% and 44% over the last decade. The latest fiscal year-to-date data shows an approval rate of 44%, which represents a shift from the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Burrichter'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 Topeka KS hearing office
Michael D. Burrichter's most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 44%. You can see the Topeka KS Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
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 Topeka KS office. Approval rates for this bench range from 24% to 60% based 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
Michael D. Burrichter has a 37% approval rate on record since 2016. Across the bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS, approval rates range from 24% to 60%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael D. Burrichter has fluctuated over time. While his rate since 2016 is 37%, the latest-period approval rate is 44%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Michael D. Burrichter has decided 3,607 cases since 2016, but your individual case depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
