Approval rates
The data below compares the lifetime approval rate of Judge Brower against the latest performance metrics for the San Antonio Hearing Office and the national average. With 23,690 lifetime decisions, this judge has a substantial record that provides a clear view of his historical decision-making patterns. These figures help you understand the context of your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual case.
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
Over his 10 years on the bench, Judge Brower has maintained a consistent approach to disability claims. While his approval rates shifted in 2019, the most recent data from 2024 and 2025 shows approval rates of 44% and 46% respectively, indicating a return toward his historical averages. This pattern suggests that while individual years may fluctuate based on case mix, his overall approach remains stable.
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.
Hearing with Judge Brower? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the San Antonio hearing office
The San Antonio Hearing Office serves a large population across Texas, managing a high volume of disability claims with a team of 6 administrative law judges. The office currently reports an approval rate of 52%, which provides a baseline for the region. You can expect a professional environment focused on the thorough review of medical and vocational evidence. You can visit the San Antonio Hearing Office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. At the San Antonio Hearing Office, the 6 administrative law judges range from 39% to 66% in their lifetime approval rates. Because you are assigned to a judge randomly, you should focus on the strength of your medical evidence, as the guidance for your preparation remains consistent regardless of the presiding judge.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.