Approval rates
The table below displays Robert Freedman's performance against the broader bench at the Albuquerque hearing office. By examining the 2,980 decisions on record since 2016, you can see how his approval rate compares to the local office range. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Freedman'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, Robert Freedman has issued 2,980 decisions. His yearly approval rates have fluctuated, moving from 36% in 2016 to a peak of 52% in 2024, before reaching 43% in the most recent partial fiscal year. This variation is common as case mixes and evidence quality shift over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Freedman'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
Robert Freedman's most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office, with data through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 49%, which provides a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is selected randomly. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group range from 41% to 89% 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
Robert Freedman has an approval rate of 41% on his record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 41% to 89% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Robert Freedman has fluctuated. Starting at 36% in 2016, the rate reached 52% in 2024 before moving to 43% in the most recent partial fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence fits into these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare you for the questions you will face.
The 41% approval rate for Robert Freedman is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. A qualified attorney can help you assess your case's strengths.
