Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 70% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a stable baseline, while his latest-period performance shows a 76% approval rate. This latest figure sits 25 percentage points above the St Louis office average of 51%. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of 4,164 decisions on record.
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 Hanan'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, the approval rate for Bradley Hanan has shown a generally steady trend with some recent variance. After hovering in the high 60s and low 70s for several years, the most recent data shows an approval rate of 76% in the latest period. This latest-period performance reflects a continuation of his established pattern, though it remains higher than his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hanan'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
The St Louis Hearing Office serves you across Missouri and is a central hub for regional disability adjudications. With 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a rigorous review process where the quality of your medical documentation is paramount.
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. Within the St Louis Hearing Office, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, 13 of whom decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates among this bench range from 30% to 78% on their records 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
Bradley Hanan's latest-period approval rate of 76% is 25 percentage points higher than the St Louis office average of 51%. While this indicates a higher rate of favorable decisions recently, every case is unique. An attorney can help you determine how to best present your medical evidence to this judge.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 68% in 2016 and reaching 76% in the most recent period. These shifts are common and can be influenced by the types of cases assigned. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced attorney.
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 by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney by your side can help you navigate these questions and ensure your case is presented clearly.
