Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While Arman Rouf has an approval rate of 48% across his record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 44%. This compares to a 51% approval rate for the Milwaukee office during the same recent period. With 3,648 decisions on record, the data provides a view of past trends.
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 Rouf'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 Arman Rouf has fluctuated since 2016. His latest-period approval rate of 44% is lower than the office-wide average of 51%. This recent pattern reflects a divergence from his long-term average, which may be influenced by changes in the types of cases assigned or the specific evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rouf'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 Milwaukee hearing office
The Milwaukee hearing office serves you and other claimants across Wisconsin and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 51%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee office, and 7 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 27% to 56% on their records since 2016.
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
Arman Rouf has an approval rate of 48% on his record since 2016. This sits within the range of 27% to 56% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Arman Rouf has shown yearly variation since 2016, ranging from a low of 39% in 2018 to a high of 53% in 2021. His latest-period approval rate is 44%. An attorney can help you analyze these trends and prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Milwaukee hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you build a strong case for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Arman Rouf has an approval rate of 48% since 2016, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you review your case and prepare for your hearing.
