Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at consistent data windows. While the national approval rate is 58% and the state rate is 56% in the latest period, Charles L. Brower's latest-period approval rate is 43%. This sits 9 points below the San Antonio office's latest-period rate of 52%. With 4,137 decisions on record since 2016, the data provides a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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, your approval rate for Charles L. Brower has shown a varied trend. The rate saw a decline around 2019 and 2021 before stabilizing in recent years. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 43%, which remains consistent with the 2025 data. This pattern reflects a steady approach to case evaluation, though the recent figures indicate a divergence from broader regional and national averages.
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 across Texas and is a central hub for regional disability hearings. With a bench of 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence 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 office, 17 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates for this bench range from 18% to 70% based on records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Charles L. Brower's latest-period approval rate of 43% is 9 points lower than the San Antonio office's latest-period rate of 52%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. It started at 55% in 2016 and reached 43% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these historical trends might relate to the evidence in your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but you can work with an attorney to ensure your case is as strong as possible for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and present your evidence effectively.
The 43% approval rate on record since 2016 is a summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
