Approval rates
The approval rate for Jonathan P. Blucher is based on 1,466 decisions on record since 2016. This figure is compared against the broader bench at the San Antonio office, where the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of approval rates from 18% to 70% for the same period. Understanding these statistics provides context for your hearing, though every case is unique and depends on your specific medical evidence.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Blucher. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Blucher'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
Jonathan P. Blucher's approval rate has remained relatively steady throughout the period from 2016 to 2022. With 1,466 total decisions on record, the yearly approval percentages fluctuated between 16% and 23% during this window. The data shows no dramatic shifts in decision-making, suggesting a consistent approach to case evaluation over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Blucher'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 San Antonio hearing office
The San Antonio Hearing Office serves claimants across Texas. With 23 judges on record, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approval rates. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Jonathan P. Blucher has an 18% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the lower end of the 18% to 70% range observed among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio. Because approval rates vary significantly, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Jonathan P. Blucher has remained consistent over the period from 2016 to 2022. While there were minor yearly fluctuations, such as 16% in 2016 and 23% in 2022, the overall pattern remains steady. An attorney can help you understand how these historical trends might relate to the current evidence in your file.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial 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 past work or other jobs. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Jonathan P. Blucher has an 18% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may strengthen your claim.
