Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see a 68% approval rate since 2016, recent performance shows an 88% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 36 points above the San Antonio office average of 52%. These figures are derived from a docket of 4,009 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Gazda'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 Peter F. Gazda has shown a distinct upward trend in recent years. After hovering between 58% and 67% from 2018 through 2023, the approval rate climbed to 81% in 2024 and 88% in the latest partial 2026 period. With 4,009 decisions on record since 2016, this shift represents a significant change in recent output.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gazda'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 the region. With 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, 17 of whom decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates for this bench range from 18% to 70% since 2016.
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
Peter F. Gazda has an approval rate of 68% across 4,009 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the range of 18% to 70% seen among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has trended upward in recent years. While the rate was 64% in 2016, it reached 88% in the latest 2026 reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your claim.
