Approval rates
The 65% approval rate on record since 2016 for Richard P. Gartner sits within the 35% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO. With 1,935 decisions on record, the data provides a view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gartner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gartner'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 approval rate for Richard P. Gartner has fluctuated since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2019, the rate saw a decline in 2020 before trending upward, reaching 72% in 2025. With 1,935 decisions on record, these shifts highlight how approval patterns can evolve. The recent uptick reflects changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gartner'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 St Petersburg Fl OHO hearing office
The St Petersburg FL OHO serves claimants across the Florida region. This office features a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Petersburg Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 35% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Five of these judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file from July 2026.
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
Judge Richard P. Gartner has an approval rate of 65% on record since 2016. This falls within the 35% to 85% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 1,935 decisions on record. While the rate was 65% in 2016, it reached 72% in 2025. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends 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, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any judge you might draw.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your condition limits your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 65% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most critical factor. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
