Approval rates
Understanding how a judge's approval rate compares to their peers provides helpful context for your hearing. The data below tracks decisions made since January 2016, offering a view of the judge's historical pattern against the broader bench at the Denver office. Because SSA assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm, these figures represent a probability cloud rather than a guaranteed outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hartman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hartman'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 Patricia E. Hartman has remained steady throughout the period of available data. Starting with a 47% approval rate in 2016 across 482 decisions, the rate shifted to 45% in 2017. With 492 total decisions on record since January 2016, the consistency in these figures suggests a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hartman'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 Denver hearing office
Patricia E. Hartman's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, which serves you if you are in the region. This office is home to 22 judges whose most recent records are based there. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony, understanding the office-wide bench is useful.
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 Hartman's 47% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 31% to 75% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Denver. While this places her within the broader spectrum of the office, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy that addresses the specific requirements of your claim.
The approval rate has remained steady, moving from 47% in 2016 to 45% in 2017. This consistency across 492 decisions on record since 2016 suggests a stable pattern in how cases are evaluated. If you are concerned about how your evidence will be received, an attorney can help you understand your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, which ensures that hearings are distributed randomly. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily activities, work history, and the limitations caused by your condition. An attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's historical approval rate is a data point, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you present. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
