Approval rates
The approval rate for Andrea McBarnette is based on 189 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a probability cloud from past decisions, which can be compared against the 32% to 79% range seen among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office. These statistics rely on a docket deep enough for the pattern to be stable. 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 McBarnette. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McBarnette'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 2016, Andrea McBarnette has maintained an approval rate of 56% across 189 decisions on record. The data shows a steady pattern throughout the recorded period. Because case assignment is determined by an SSA workload-balancing algorithm, the specific judge you are assigned is essentially random. Understanding this pattern helps you prepare for the hearing process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McBarnette'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 Baltimore hearing office
Andrea McBarnette's most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, which serves the Maryland region. This office is home to 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 79% on their since-2016 records. While these figures provide context for the office, your preparation should focus on the specific evidence in your claim.
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
Andrea McBarnette has an approval rate of 56% on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 79% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Andrea McBarnette has remained steady at 56% across her 189 decisions on record since 2016. This consistency provides a stable view of her past decision-making patterns. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, you should focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
The 56% approval rate for Andrea McBarnette represents a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
