Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Judge Roberson maintains a 57% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate of 63% sits 1 percentage point below the Indianapolis office average of 64%. These figures are drawn from a substantial docket of 3,907 lifetime decisions, providing a reliable statistical baseline for your research. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Roberson'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
Judge Roberson's approval record shows a dynamic trend since 2017. After an initial period of fluctuation, the approval rate has trended upward, reaching 63% in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure represents a slight increase over his historical average, suggesting a consistent approach to the evidence presented in his courtroom. The data reflects a judge whose decision-making pattern has stabilized over the last several years of his career.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Roberson'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 Indianapolis hearing office
The Indianapolis hearing office serves you throughout Indiana, operating as a key hub for the region. With 20 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 64%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Judge Roberson is essentially random. The Indianapolis office bench includes 20 judges on record since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 43% to 75%.
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 Roberson's latest-period approval rate of 63% is very close to the Indianapolis office average of 64%. Because approval rates across the 20 judges on record at this office range from 43% to 75%, having an attorney who understands the local bench can be a significant advantage.
Yes, the data shows a clear evolution in his decision pattern. After starting at 72% in 2017, his approval rate adjusted in subsequent years before trending upward to reach 63% in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific types of questions Judge Roberson often asks.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Judge Roberson has a lifetime approval rate of 57%, your individual success depends on the specific medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.