Approval rates
The approval rate for John E. Sandbothe is based on 2,811 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 37% to 70% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Des Moines Hearing Office. These numbers offer insight into historical patterns but do not account for the unique medical evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Sandbothe. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Sandbothe'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, the approval rate for John E. Sandbothe has fluctuated between 60% and 72% across 2,811 total decisions. After a rate of 60% in 2021, the approval rate was 70% in 2022, 65% in 2023, 70% in 2024, and 61% in 2025.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sandbothe'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 Des Moines hearing office
John E. Sandbothe's most recent office on record is the Des Moines Hearing Office, which serves you across Iowa. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse caseload of SSDI and SSI claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Des Moines
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 37% to 70%.
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
John E. Sandbothe has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016. This places the judge toward the higher end of the 37% to 70% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Des Moines Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for John E. Sandbothe has averaged 68% across 2,811 decisions on record since 2016. While there have been annual variations, such as 60% in 2021 and 70% in 2024, the judge's overall pattern remains consistent. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because case assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the local hearing environment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While John E. Sandbothe has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
