Approval rates
The approval rates for Robert J. Tjapkes reflect a history of decision-making across 3,414 decisions on record since November 2017. When comparing these figures to the broader bench, consider the 43% to 88% range established by the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office. Latest-period data shows the judge at 40%, which is 20 points below the office's latest-period rate of 60%.
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 Tjapkes'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 November 2017, the approval rate for Robert J. Tjapkes has shown a steady pattern. After a 50% approval rate in 2018, the figures have generally hovered between 40% and 46% over the following years. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 40% approval rate, which remains consistent with the judge's long-term average of 43% across 3,414 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tjapkes'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
The Grand Rapids hearing office is the most recent office on record for Robert J. Tjapkes as of July 2026. The office bench consists of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with a collective latest-period approval rate of 60%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office, and 6 of them decided cases there in the latest file ending July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 43% to 88% 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
Robert J. Tjapkes has a 43% approval rate on record since 2017. This is at the lower end of the 43% to 88% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Robert J. Tjapkes has remained relatively steady since 2017, with a long-term average of 43% across 3,414 decisions on record. While annual rates have fluctuated between 40% and 50%, the judge's approach has not shown a dramatic shift. An attorney can help you evaluate how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
