Approval rates
Comparing Judge Brower's performance requires looking at both his long-term record and recent activity. His lifetime approval rate of 43% sits within the broader 18% to 70% range observed across the San Antonio bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 43% approval rate trailed the office average of 52% by 9 percentage points. These figures reflect historical trends rather than the outcome of your specific 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 Brower'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, Judge Brower has presided over 4,137 decisions. His approval trend shows fluctuation, with rates peaking in 2018 before shifting in subsequent years. More recently, the data shows a stabilization, with the approval rate holding at 43% during the latest reporting period. This recent trend reflects a consistent approach to the evidence presented in his courtroom.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brower'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 you throughout the region, managing a high volume of disability cases. With a bench of 23 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You should be prepared for a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the San Antonio hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is effectively random. There are 23 judges on record at this office since 2016, 17 of whom reported in the latest period, with lifetime approval rates spanning from 18% to 70%. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is helpful for your representative. You can find more information on the San Antonio 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
Judge Brower's 43% lifetime approval rate falls within the 18% to 70% range seen across the San Antonio office. While he sits below the office's latest-period average of 52%, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of Judge Brower's courtroom.
Yes, Judge Brower's approval rate has fluctuated since 2016, moving from 55% in 2016 to a more recent 43%. These shifts often reflect changes in case volume or the types of medical evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively under his current decision patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the San Antonio hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly organized for the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Judge Brower has a 43% lifetime approval rate, your outcome depends on the strength of your medical documentation and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and identify potential gaps in your evidence.