Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Gary A. Freyberg has a 59% approval rate across 2,431 decisions on record since 2017, which sits within the 50% to 78% range observed among his peers at the Madison office. In the most recent reporting period, he maintained a 76% approval rate, which is 7 points higher than the office average of 69%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your upcoming 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 Freyberg'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
The 2,431 decisions on record for Gary A. Freyberg since 2017 show a fluctuating pattern of approval. After a period of variance between 2018 and 2025, the most recent data indicates a 76% approval rate for the 54 decisions recorded in the current partial fiscal year. This recent figure represents a shift compared to his long-term average, reflecting changes in case volume or specific evidence requirements.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Freyberg'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 Madison hearing office
The most recent office on record for Gary A. Freyberg is the Madison hearing office, with data current through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Wisconsin and is part of a regional network of SSA hearing sites. With a bench of 8 judges and an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 69%, the Madison office handles a significant volume of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Madison
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Madison office, and 5 of them decided cases in the latest SSA file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 50% to 78% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Gary A. Freyberg's 59% approval rate on record since 2017 falls within the 50% to 78% range of his peers at the Madison office. While he sits within this range, every case is unique, and an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. While his long-term approval rate on record since 2017 is 59%, his most recent reporting period shows a 76% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, working with an attorney is a proactive way to prepare for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Gary A. Freyberg's 59% rate on record since 2017 is one data point, but the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strength and prepare for your hearing.
