Approval rates
The 37% approval rate for Barry Robinson since 2016 sits within the 31% to 61% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided at this location.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Robinson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Robinson'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 587 decisions on record for Barry Robinson since 2016 show a consistent pattern of activity. Approval rates were 36% in 2016, 43% in 2017, 38% in 2018, and 36% in 2019. This trend indicates that the approach to evaluating evidence has remained steady over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Robinson'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 NHC Albuquerque hearing office
Barry Robinson's most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque, with decisions there through September 2019. The bench consists of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the NHC Albuquerque Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 31% to 61% on their since-2016 records.
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
Barry Robinson has a 37% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 61% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Albuquerque. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Barry Robinson has remained steady, with yearly figures of 36%, 43%, 38%, and 36% between 2016 and 2019. An attorney can help you assess how these historical patterns might relate to your specific evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
