Approval rates
The approval rate for Robert M. Butler stands at 79% based on his total record of 1,718 decisions. When compared to the broader bench at the NHC St Louis hearing office, where lifetime approval rates range from 41% to 79%, his record sits at the upper end of the local spectrum. These figures rely on a substantial volume of cases to ensure statistical stability. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Butler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Butler'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 decision record for Robert M. Butler, spanning from 2016 to 2020, shows a consistent pattern of approvals. After starting with a 67% approval rate in 2016, the trend moved upward, reaching a peak of 86% in 2019 before stabilizing at 81% in 2020. This trajectory suggests a steady approach to evaluating your disability claim over the course of his recorded tenure.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Butler'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the NHC St Louis hearing office
The NHC St Louis hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Missouri and the surrounding region. This office maintains a diverse bench of 10 judges on record, ensuring that cases are processed through a standardized administrative process. You can expect a formal hearing environment focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the NHC St Louis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The NHC St Louis hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates varying widely from 41% to 79%. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide environment is helpful for your preparation. You can find more information on the NHC St Louis 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
Robert M. Butler has a lifetime approval rate of 79%, which is at the high end of the 41% to 79% range seen among the 10 judges on record at the NHC St Louis office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of judges in this office.
Robert M. Butler's approval rate showed a steady trend, rising from 67% in 2016 to a peak of 86% in 2019, before settling at 81% in 2020. This consistency across his 1,718 decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across the NHC St Louis office. Since the assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.