Approval rates
To understand how your case may be viewed, look at the approval rates for Roger E. Winkelman compared to the broader bench. The Santa Barbara hearing office features a range of lifetime approval rates from 35% to 82%. By analyzing the 2,487 decisions on record since 2016, you can see how this judge’s history aligns with regional and national trends. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your hearing.
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 Winkelman'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 career record for Roger E. Winkelman shows a shift in recent years. While the lifetime approval rate sits at 53% based on 2,487 decisions since 2016, the yearly trend indicates a rise in approvals starting in 2023. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 68%, which continues this upward pattern compared to earlier years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Winkelman'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Santa Barbara hearing office
The Santa Barbara hearing office serves you throughout the region as part of the California disability adjudication network. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 69%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence. You can see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/santa-barbara-CA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Roger E. Winkelman is random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 35% to 82%.
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
Roger E. Winkelman has a lifetime approval rate of 53% across 2,487 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 35% to 82%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend in recent years. While the lifetime rate is 53%, the judge reached a 68% approval rate in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are statistical snapshots of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Evidence quality and medical documentation are the primary factors in any decision. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.