Approval rates
The approval rate for A. Benton is calculated based on 3,672 lifetime decisions. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically ruled compared to the 41% to 79% lifetime approval range seen across the NHC St Louis bench. These statistics are derived from data spanning 2016 to 2025. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Benton. 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 Benton'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
A. Benton has maintained a varied approval record since 2016. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates moving between 37% and 53% over the course of the record window. These trends provide insight into the judge's historical approach to your case evidence and testimony.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Benton'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 NHC St Louis hearing office
The NHC St Louis hearing office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. The office maintains a bench of 10 judges on record, each contributing to the local hearing process. You can expect a formal proceeding where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the NHC St Louis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 41% to 79%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the broader office environment is helpful. You can find more information on the NHC St Louis hearing office page.
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
A. Benton has a lifetime approval rate of 46% across 3,672 decisions. This sits within the 41% to 79% range of lifetime approval rates for the 10 judges on record at the NHC St Louis office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for A. Benton has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 37% in 2016 to 51% in 2025. These variations are common as case mixes and evidence standards evolve. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary expectations of this judge.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions A. Benton may ask during your hearing.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While A. Benton has a 46% approval rate, your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence to strengthen your claim.