Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers requires looking at data from the same period. The most relevant benchmark for Mark A. Brown is the 30% to 78% range seen among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. With 194 decisions on record since 2016, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Brown. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Brown'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
The approval rate for Mark A. Brown has fluctuated across the 194 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial 73% approval rate in 2016, the figures rose to 82% in 2017 before settling at 75% in 2018 and 65% in 2019. These variations reflect the specific medical evidence presented during those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brown'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 St Louis hearing office
Mark A. Brown's most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office. This office features a bench of 20 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is paramount to the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% 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
Mark A. Brown has a 74% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 30% to 78% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 194 decisions on record since 2016. It peaked at 82% in 2017 before moving to 65% in 2019. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by analyzing how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, algorithm-based system to assign cases. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial 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 perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's historical approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Mark A. Brown has a 74% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends on the evidence of your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
